Methods and apparatus for monitoring contested spectrum and/or responding to the detection of an incumbent user

ABSTRACT

A base station, e.g., a CBSD, selects or more user equipment (UE) devices, e.g., cell phones, to operate in monitoring mode. In monitoring mode the UE device, in addition to its normal communications with the base station, performs received power measurements in a frequency band, e.g., a CBRS band. The UE reports to the base station information indicating a UE determined measured power level attributed to incumbent user or measurement information used to derive a power level attributed to incumbent user. One or more base stations report received power measurement values attributed to incumbent user to a system management device, e.g., a SAS. The system management device processes the received information, e.g. combining information, and comparing a result to a threshold level. If the result exceeds the threshold the system management device sends a command to one or more base station to shut down DL traffic in the CBRS band.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for monitoringcontested spectrum in a communications system, and more particularly, tomethod and apparatus for determining the current availability of a CBRScommunications band, based on reported measurements indicative ofreceived power attributed to incumbent user.

BACKGROUND

In a Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) network, Citizens BroadbandRadio Service Devices (CBSDs) serve as access points which can supportcommunications between a user equipment device (UE) and a serviceprovider network.

A CBRS network often includes one or more Citizens Broadband RadioService Devices (CBSDs) with relatively small coverage areas as comparedto a macro base station or access point. In a CBRS network, interferenceis managed through power management of CBSD devices by a managementdevice in the network referred to as a Spectrum Access System (SAS).

Currently, in the United Statues, Citizens Broadband Radio Servicenetworks utilize 150 megahertz in the 3550-3700 MHz band referred to asthe 3.5 GHz Band.

The spectrum corresponding to some CBRS bands is part of spectrum whichis allocated to incumbent users, e.g., military users such as shipsoperating on the oceans. In many cases incumbent users have priority tothe spectrum over CBRS system devices, e.g., CBSDs. The CBRS systemdevices may use the spectrum when the incumbent users are not making useof the spectrum but must yield the spectrum when the incumbent users arein the area.

On approach to determining if contended spectrum is currently availablefor CBRS system users is to install many expensive high accuracy largefixed monitoring stations, which can accurately detect the presence ofincumbent users along a coastline and report monitoring results to oneor more SASs. However, this approach requires installation of the fixedmonitoring stations and corresponding networking infrastructure (whichinvolves land access rights and construction costs), as well atcontinual maintenance for these stations. Also, an individual fixed sitemonitoring station may be expected to occasionally go down causing gapsin the monitoring coverage unless there is redundancy built into theinfrastructure which requires additional cost.

Based on the above, there is a need for new methods and apparatus fordetecting, reporting and responding to incumbent user activity in CBRScommunications bands.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments relate to a first base station, e.g., a first CBSD,selecting for monitoring mode operation some, but not necessarily all,UEs attached to the first base station, each selected UE is used as ameasurement device. The first base station, e.g., a first CBSD, selectsa subset of UEs which are at different locations. UE selection formonitoring mode operation is based on one, more or all of: 1) UElocation, 2) battery power available at a UE, and 3) whether the UE isin an active or inactive state at the time selection of UEs for use asmonitoring devices is made by the first base station, e.g., first CBSD.The UEs report a received power that is based on the measured totalreceived energy in the signal band used by the first base station, e.g.first CBSD. The reported value in some cases is reduced by the detectedsignal energy that the UE detects as corresponding to base stations,e.g. CBSDs (e.g., measured pilot signal energy which can be attributedto base stations, e.g. CBSDs, based on the signal) thereby providing abetter indication in such embodiments of power due to incumbent deviceshaving priority to use the first frequency band than if a total signalenergy including received base station, e.g. CBSD, signal power wasreported. The first base station, e.g. first CBSD, generates a receivedsignal energy to be reported to a system management device, e.g., a SAS,e.g., based on multiple received signal energy reports. The receivedsignal energy reported to the system management device, e.g. a SAS, maybe, and sometimes, is an average received power level. The systemmanagement device, e.g., a SAS, determines whether or not the first basestation, e.g. first CBSD, can continue to use the first frequency bandto support UE communications by comparing the received signal energy toa threshold. If the reported received signal energy reported by thefirst base station, e.g. a first CBSD, exceeds the signal energythreshold the first base station, e.g. first CBSD, is commanded to stopusing the first frequency band in which the energy exceeding thethreshold was detected. The first base station, e.g. the first CBSD, andUE continue to use the first frequency band for purposes relating to thereporting of signal energy measurements, e.g., the first base station,e.g. the first CBSD, may, and sometimes does, command UEs to performreceived signal energy measurements and report the results to the firstbase station, e.g. the first CBSD, in the first frequency band. The rateat which the UEs are commanded to perform and report signal energymeasurements varies in some embodiments based on whether the first basestation, e.g. the first CBSD, is operating in a restricted mode ofoperation in which UE downlink data communications are not supported inthe first frequency band or a mode of operation in which UEs are allowedto use the first frequency band for uplink and downlink communications.

An exemplary method, in accordance with some embodiments, comprises:selecting, at a first base station (e.g., a first CBSD) that uses afirst frequency band for communication (e.g., 3.5 GHz band used for CBSDcommunication), one or more user equipment (UE) devices (e.g., cellphones) to operate as power measurement devices, said one or more UEdevices including a first UE device (e.g. a first cell phone);receiving, at the first base station, first received power measurementinformation from the UE device, said first received power measurementinformation being based on a total received power in the first frequencyband measured by the first UE device; and communicating to a systemmanagement device (e.g., a SAS), received signal power information, saidreceived signal power information being based on at least said firstreceived power measurement information.

While various embodiments have been discussed in the summary above, itshould be appreciated that not necessarily all embodiments include thesame features and some of the features described above are not necessarybut can be desirable in some embodiments. Numerous additional features,embodiments and benefits of various embodiments are discussed in thedetailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a plurality of CBSDs located along acoast line which are using cell phones as monitoring devices to detectthe presence of incumbent users in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates two exemplary modes for exemplary cell phones,implemented in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, said two modesincluding: i) a normal mode of operation and ii) a sensor operation modeof operation and further illustrates an exemplary SAS communicatingcontrol information signals to an exemplary CBSD, said signals includingtime information and location information (location pattern) to be usedby the CBSD to select UEs for sensor mode and to control operationsrelated to a signal measurement and reporting of power/energyattributable to incumbent users in a CBRS band.

FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating an exemplary SAS, a plurality of CBSDs,which have been commanded to shutdown DL traffic signaling, and aplurality of cell phones, operating in sensor mode, and furtherillustrating that the measuring and reporting of received power/energylevel attributable to incumbent user is continuing, in accordance withan exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a first part of a flowchart of an exemplary method ofoperating a communications system, e.g., a communications systemincluding a plurality of base stations, e.g., CBSDs, a plurality of userequipment (UE) devices, e.g., cell phones, and a system managementdevice, e.g., a SAS, to monitor for incumbent users in a CBRS frequencyband (e.g., a 3.5 GHz band), detect incumbent users and respond to thedetected incumbent users, e.g., commanding one or more CBSDs to shutdown to protect the detected incumbent user, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a second part of a flowchart of an exemplary method ofoperating a communications system, e.g., a communications systemincluding a plurality of base stations, e.g., CBSDs, a plurality of userequipment (UE) devices, e.g., cell phones, and a system managementdevice, e.g., a SAS, to monitor for incumbent users in a CBRS frequencyband (e.g., a 3.5 GHz band), detect incumbent users and respond to thedetected incumbent users, e.g., commanding one or more CBSDs to shutdown to protect the detected incumbent user, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 comprises the combination of FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B.

FIG. 5A is a first part of a flowchart of an exemplary method ofoperating a communications system, e.g., a communications systemincluding a plurality of base stations, e.g. CBSDs, a plurality of userequipment (UE) devices, e.g., cell phones, which may, and sometimes dooperate as monitoring devices for measuring and reporting incumbent usersignal information corresponding to a CBRS band, and a system managementdevice, e.g., a SAS, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5B is a second part of a flowchart of an exemplary method ofoperating a communications system, e.g., a communications systemincluding a plurality of base stations, e.g. CBSDs, a plurality of userequipment (UE) devices, e.g., cell phones, which may, and sometimes dooperate as monitoring devices for measuring and reporting incumbent usersignal information corresponding to a CBRS band, and a system managementdevice, e.g., a SAS, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5C is a third part of a flowchart of an exemplary method ofoperating a communications system, e.g., a communications systemincluding a plurality of base stations, e.g. CBSDs, a plurality of userequipment (UE) devices, e.g., cell phones, which may, and sometimes dooperate as monitoring devices for measuring and reporting incumbent usersignal information corresponding to a CBRS band, and a system managementdevice, e.g., a SAS, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 comprises the combination of FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C.

FIG. 6A is a first part of a flowchart of an exemplary method ofoperating a system management device, e.g., a SAS, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6B is a second part of a flowchart of an exemplary method ofoperating a system management device, e.g., a SAS, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6C is a third part of a flowchart of an exemplary method ofoperating a system management device, e.g., a SAS, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 comprises the combination of FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B and FIG. 6C.

FIG. 7A is a first part of a flowchart of an exemplary method ofoperating a base station, e.g., a CBSD, in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 7B is a second part of a flowchart of an exemplary method ofoperating a base station, e.g., a CBSD, in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 7C is a third part of a flowchart of an exemplary method ofoperating a base station, e.g., a CBSD, in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 7 comprises the combination of FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B and FIG. 7C.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an exemplary method of operating a userequipment (UE) device, e.g., a cell phone, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating an exemplary communications system inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment, which uses selected userequipment (UE) devices as sensor devices to measure received signals ina CBRS band, which may and sometimes do, include signals transmitted byan incumbent user, and which responds to a detected incumbent user byturning off downlink traffic at one or more base stations, e.g. CBSDs,in the vicinity of the incumbent user.

FIG. 10 is a drawing of an exemplary base station, e.g., an exemplaryCitizens Broadband Radio Service Device (CBSD), in accordance with anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a drawing of an exemplary user equipment (UE) device, e.g., acell phone, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a drawing of an exemplary system management device, e.g., aSpectrum Access System (SAS) device, in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 13A is a drawing of a first part of an exemplary assembly ofcomponents which may be included in an exemplary base station, e.g.,CBSD, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13B is a drawing of a second part of an exemplary assembly ofcomponents which may be included in an exemplary base station, e.g.,CBSD, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13C is a drawing of a third part of an exemplary assembly ofcomponents which may be included in an exemplary base station, e.g.,CBSD, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13D is a drawing of a fourth part of an exemplary assembly ofcomponents which may be included in an exemplary base station, e.g.,CBSD, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13E is a drawing of a fifth part of an exemplary assembly ofcomponents which may be included in an exemplary base station, e.g.,CBSD, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13 comprises the combination of FIG. 13A, FIG. 13B, FIG. 13C, FIG.13D and FIG. 13E.

FIG. 14A is a drawing of a first part of an exemplary assembly ofcomponents which may be included in an exemplary system managementdevice, e.g., a SAS, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14B is a drawing of a second part of an exemplary assembly ofcomponents which may be included in an exemplary system managementdevice, e.g., a SAS, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14C is a drawing of a third part of an exemplary assembly ofcomponents which may be included in an exemplary system managementdevice, e.g., a SAS, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14D is a drawing of a fourth part of an exemplary assembly ofcomponents which may be included in an exemplary system managementdevice, e.g., a SAS, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14 comprises the combination of FIG. 14A, FIG. 14B, FIG. 14C andFIG. 14D.

FIG. 15A is a drawing of a first part of an exemplary assembly ofcomponents which may be included in an exemplary user equipment (UE)device, e.g., a cell phone, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 15B is a drawing of a second part of an exemplary assembly ofcomponents which may be included in an exemplary user equipment (UE)device, e.g., a cell phone, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 15 comprises the combination of FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a drawing 100 illustrating a plurality of CBSDs (CBSD1 102,CBSD2 104) located along a coast line 101 which are using cell phones(cell phone 1 106, cell phone 2 108, cell phone 3 110) as monitoringdevices to detect the presence of incumbent users. Incumbent users 112and 114 are in the vicinity of coastline 101. CBSD 1 102 has selected touse cell phone 1 106, as a measurement device, and has commanded cellphone 1 106 to be in a sensor mode of operation. CBSD 2 104 has selectedto use cell phone 2 108 and cell phone 3 110, measurement devices, andhas commanded cell phone 2 108 and cell phone 3 110 to be in a sensormode of operation. Each cell phone (106, 108, 110) serving as amonitoring device measures the total power of received signals in a CBSDfrequency band, subtracts power attributed to CBSD base stations, e.g.,based on known pilot signals which are detected, and reports receivedsignal power attributed to incumbent users to the CBSD to which it isattached. Cell phone 1 106 reports received power attributed toincumbent users to CBSD 1 102. Cell phone 2 108 reports received powerattributed to incumbent users to CBSD 2 104. Cell phone 3 110 reportsreceived power attributed to incumbent users to CBSD 2 104. Each CBSD(102, 104) processes the reported power level information received fromits cell phone operating in sensor mode, and determines a incumbentpower level report to communicate to a system management device, e.g. aSAS. The SAS processes the received reported, e.g., comparing reportedincumbent power levels to a threshold and makes a determination as towhether or not one more CBSDs along the coast line should be turned off,e.g. with regard to downlink data transmissions to the UEs.

Drawing 200 of FIG. 2 illustrates two exemplary modes for exemplary cellphone 202 including i) a normal mode of operation 204 in which the phonecommunicates with a CBSD only and does not perform sensor monitoringoperations used to detect incumbent users and ii) a sensor operationmode in which the phone communicates with the CBSD and further reportsincumbent signal information, e.g., received power or received energyattributed to incumbent users, e.g., based on received signal s that theUE measures in a CBRS band. Drawing 250 of FIG. 2 illustrates anexemplary SAS 208 communicating, after registration, signals 212 toexemplary CBSD 210 including sensor mode measurement time informationand location information 214 to be used by the CBSD 210 to search forincumbent users. Measurement time and location pattern is determined bySAS 250 and is sent to CBSDs including CBSD 210. If incumbent usersignal is determined accurately by SAS 208, same measurement time andlocation pattern is kept the same; if incumbent user signal is notdetermined accurately by SAS 208; then measurement time and locationpattern is changed by SAS 208 and is sent to each of the CBSDs includingCBSD 210 as new measurement time and location pattern.

FIG. 3 is a drawing 300 illustrating an exemplary SAS 302 coupled to aplurality of CBSDs (CBSD 1 304, CBSD 2 306, CBSD 3 306) viacommunications links (305, 307, 309), respectively. Each of theCBSDs(CBSD 1 304, CBSD 2 306, CBSD 3 306) has commanded a cell phone(cell phone 1 310, cell phone 2 312, cell phone 3 314), respectively, tobe in sensor mode of operation. Based on received power measurementsattributed to incumbent users in the CBSD band, the SAS 302 has sent aDL traffic shutdown command to the CBSDs (304, 306, 308), and inresponse, the CBSD (304, 306, 308) have turned-off downlink traffic asindicated by Xs 316, 326, and 336 on downlink signal arrows. However,the cell phones (310, 312, 314) continue to monitor and measure receivedpower levels in the CBSD band attributed to incumbent users, andcontinue reporting. Cell phones (cell phone 1 310, cell phone 2 312,cell phone 3 314) generate and sends uplink signals (320, 329, 340) toCBSDs (304, 306, 308), respectively. The uplink signals (318, 328, 330)include measurement information (320, 330, 340), e.g., measured powerlevel attributed to incumbent users. The CBSDs (304, 306, 308) generateand send incumbent user power level measurement reports (324, 334, 342)to the SAS 302, which processes the received information. The SAS 302determines based on the received reports (324, 334, 342) if one or moreor all of the CBSDs (304, 306, 308) should be re-started with regard toDL traffic signaling. For example, the SAS restarts a CBSD in responseto a reported power level attributed to incumbent user being below apredetermined threshold.

FIG. 4, comprising the combination of FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, is aflowchart 400 of an exemplary method of operating a communicationssystem, e.g., a communications system including a plurality of basestations, e.g., CBSDs, a plurality of user equipment (UE) devices, e.g.,cell phones, and a system management device, e.g., a SAS, to monitor forincumbent users in a CBRS frequency band (e.g., a 3.5 GHz band), detectincumbent users and respond to the detected incumbent users, e.g.,commanding one or more CBSDs to shut down to protect the detectedincumbent user, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Operationstarts in step 402 in which the communications system is powered on andinitialized. Operation proceeds from start step 402 to step 404. In step404 CBSDs register with the SAS. Operation proceeds from step 404 tostep 406. In step 406 the SAS selects CBSDs near to the coastal line ofthe country. Operation proceeds from step 406 to step 408.

In step 408 the SAS sends measurement time and certain locations (e.g.,a location pattern) to the selected CBSDs. Operation proceeds from step408 to step 410.

In step 410 each of the selected CBSDs, which are CBSDs on coastallocations, selects target phone(s) for measurements. In someembodiments, step 410 includes step 412. In step 412 each of theselected CBSDs selects a different phone at a different location foreach of one or more locations of interest communicated to the CBSD fromthe SAS. In some embodiments, step 412 includes step 414 in which eachof the selected CBSDs selects only one phone at a location correspondingto a selected location communicated from the SAS to the CBSD. Operationproceeds from step 410 to step 416.

In step 416 each selected CBSD signals its selected phone(s) totransition into “sensor mode’ and communicates information indicatingthe duration that the phone is to remain in sensor mode. Operationproceeds from step 416 to step 418.

In step 418 each of the selected phones transitions in sensor mode andperforms sensor mode monitoring in accordance with measurement timeinformation. Operation proceeds from step 418 to step 420. In step 420each of the selected phone(s) determines, e.g., calculates, the receivedsignal power from incumbent user(s), e.g., measured received totalsignal power−measured signal power from CBSD signals=determined signalpower from incumbent user(s). Operation proceeds from step 420 to step422.

In step 422 each of the selected phones sends this determined, e.g.,calculated, signal power value to the CBSD which commanded it totransition into sensor mode. Operation proceeds from step 422 to step424.

In step 424 each of the selected CBSDs sends the information receivedfrom the phones to the SAS. Operation proceeds from step 424 to step426.

In step 426 the SAS combines information from each of the reportingCBSDs to determine if power transmitted by incumbent user(s) is higherthan a threshold, said power being higher than a threshold indicatingthat an incumbent user was detected. Operation proceeds from step 426,via connecting node A 428 to step 430.

If an incumbent user was detected, then operation proceeds from step 430to step 432; otherwise operation proceeds from step 430 to step 440. Instep 432 the SAS is operated to keep the same time measurementinformation and locations to perform continuous monitoring. Operationproceeds from step 432 to step 434. In step 434 the SAS sends a Downlink(DL) traffic shutdown command to one or more or all of the selectedCBSDs on the coast line, e.g., to shut down CBSDs corresponding to theregion(s) in which the incumbent user was detected. Operation proceedsfrom step 434 to step 436.

In step 436 CBSDs halt DL traffic in response to the received shutdowncommand; but uplink (UL) traffic still continues for constant monitoringreporting. Operation proceeds from step 436 to step 438. In step 438 theSAS turns on DL traffic on CBSDs (for which DL traffic was halted) ifthe incumbent user is subsequently determined to be gone.

Returning to step 440, in step 440, the SAS changes the measurement timeto new measurement time and/or changes the location(s) to new locationswith regard to performing continuous monitoring. Operation proceeds fromstep 440 to step 442. In step 442 the SAS sends the new measurement timeand/or new certain location(s) to the selected CBSDs. Operation proceedsfrom step 442, via connecting node B 444 to step 410, in which each ofthe selected CBSDs selects target phone(s) fro measurement.

Various aspects and/or features of some embodiments of the presentinvention are further discussed below.

Mobile phones are used as sensors to determine if incumbent users aretransmitting in 3.5 GHz band. Selected phones connected to a basestation, e.g., a CBSD, will be transitioned into ‘sensor mode’ tomeasure the signal of incumbent users, and will send the measured signalback to the base station, e.g. the CBSD. The base stations, e.g. theCBSDs, will send each of the measurement reports to system managementdevice, e.g. a SAS, and the system management device, e.g., the SAS,will combine the signals to determine if the signal received fromincumbent users are above certain threshold, if it is determined thatthe signal received from the incumbent user is above the threshold; thenthe system management device, e.g., the SAS will shutdown the basestations, e.g., the CBSDs to protect incumbent user.

The base station, e.g., the CBSD, signals one or more selected phones totransition the phone(s) into ‘sensor mode’, and a phone in sensor modeconstantly sends signal back to base station, e.g. the CBSD, when inthis mode. The phone stays in this mode for some duration of time whichis also sent by base station, e.g., the CBSD to the phone, and this issent from system management device, e.g. the SAS, to base stations,e.g., CBSDs, on the border, e.g., on a coastline. The system managementdevice, e.g., the SAS, knows which base stations, e.g., which CBSDs, arelocated on the border, e.g., the coastline, based on the base station,e.g., CBSD, locations.

In some embodiments, there are different measurement modes:

Mode 1—Only one phone at a time measures the signal, and phones atdifferent locations are selected. Phone locations are determined byCBSD, e.g., by using Sounding Reference Signals (SRS) sent by the phonein UL. Measurement time and location pattern is determined by SAS and issent to CBSDs. If incumbent user signal is determined accurately by SAS,the measurement time and location pattern is kept the same; however, ifincumbent user signal is not determined accurately by SAS; thenmeasurement time and/or location pattern is changed by SAS and is sentto all CBSDs as new measurement time and/or new location pattern.

Mode 2—More than one phone measures the signal at the same or atdifferent locations. Signals from phones are combined by each CBSD. Thenumber of phones is increased by a certain number until the power levelthat adding more phones does not increase the accumulated power at SASany more.

When SAS shuts down the CBSDs on the coast because of potentialincumbent user, UL traffic of the phones will be still alive. Power inthe downlink is much higher than the power in the UL since phone batteryis limited. In UL, phones in monitoring mode will keep performingmeasurements and will keep reporting to CBSDs the power levels ofincumbent user. Based on the reported measured power level, if the SASbelieves that incumbent user is no longer using the CBRS band; then SASwill turn on DL power on CBSDs on the coast.

FIG. 5, comprising the combination of FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C, is aflowchart 500 of an exemplary method of operating a communicationssystem, e.g., a communications system including a plurality of basestations, e.g. CBSDs, a plurality of user equipment (UE) devices and asystem management device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.Operation starts in step 502 in which the communications system ispowered on and initialized. Operation proceeds from step 502 to step504. In step 504 a first base, e.g., a CBSD that uses a first frequencyband, e.g., a 3.5 GHz frequency band, for communications, selects one ormore user equipment (UE) devices to operate as power measurementdevices, said one or more UE devices including a first UE device, e.g.,a first cell phone. In some embodiments, the first base station is asmall cell base station, e.g., a small cell CBSD. In some embodiments,the selected one or more UE devices is a subset of UE devices attachedto said first base station. In some embodiments, said one or more UEdevices does not include at least some UE devices attached to said firstbase station which are receiving service from said first base station.

Step 504 may, and sometimes does, include one or both of steps 506 and510. In step 506 the first base station selects multiple UE devices tooperate as received signal power measurement devices. Step 506 may, andsometimes does, include step 508 in which the first base station selectsUE devices at different locations to operate as received signal powermonitoring devices. In step 510 the first base station selects one ormore UE devices as a function of: i) UE device location information, ii)UE battery level information, and/or iii) UE operation state information(e.g., active or idle state information indicating what mode the UE isin). Step 512 may, and sometimes does, include one or both of step 512and step 514. In step 512 the first base station provides a preferencein said selection for a UE device with more remaining battery power,e.g., a first remaining battery power level, than a device having lessremaining battery power, e.g., a second remaining battery power levelwhich is lower than said first remaining battery power level. In step514 the first base station provides a preference in said selection for aUE device which is in an idle state, e.g., a device in a state in whichvoice traffic is not currently supported, as compared to a UE devicewhich is in an active communications state, a device in a state in whichuplink voice traffic is currently supported.

Operation proceeds from step 504 to step 516. In step 516 the first basestation determines a frequency at which signal measurements are to bemade by the first UE device based on whether the first base station isin a first mode of operation, e.g., an active state, in which the firstbase station provides uplink and downlink services to UEs or in a secondmode of operation in which downlink service is not provided to UEs.Operation proceeds from step 516 to step 518.

In step 518 the first base stations signals to the first UE device thatthe first UE device is to operate in a monitoring mode of operation inwhich signal measurements are performed, e.g., received power signalmeasurements in a first frequency band, e.g., a CBRS band in which theremay be, and sometimes are, incumbent users, are performed. Step 518includes step 519 and step 520. In step 519 the first base stationsignals to the first UE a duration that the first UE is to remain in themonitoring mode of operation, which is sometimes referred to as sensormode or sensor operation mode. In step 520 the first base stationsignals to the first UE the frequency at which signal measurements areto be made by the first UE. In some embodiments, the first base stationsignals to the first UE the frequency at which signal measurementreports are to be sent from the first UE to the first base station.Operation proceeds from step 518 to step 521.

In step 521 the first UE device receives a signal, e.g., a command, thatthe first UE device is to operate in a monitoring mode of operation inwhich signal measurements are performed and results are reported to thefirst base station. Step 521 includes steps 5212 and 5214. In step 5212the first UE device receives information indicating a duration that thefirst UE device is to remain in the monitoring mode of operation. Instep 5214 the first UE device receives information indicating afrequency at which signals measurements are to be performed by the firstUE device. In some embodiments, the first UE device receives informationindicating the frequency, e.g., rate, at which generated measurementreports are to sent to the first base station. Operation proceeds fromstep 521 to step 5216.

In step 5216 the first UE device transitions into the monitoring mode ofoperation, e.g., from normal mode of operation, in response to thereceived signal, e.g., command to operate in the monitoring mode ofoperation. Operation proceeds from step 5216, via connecting node A 5218to step 5220.

In step 5220 the first UE device is operated in monitoring mode for thespecified duration, e.g., using the commanded frequency for performingmeasurements and/or the commanded frequency for sending reports. Step5220 includes steps 5222, 5230 and step 5232. In step 5222 the first UEdevice measures received power in a first frequency band, e.g. a CBRSfrequency band in which there may be, and sometimes are incumbent users,in addition to base station signals, e.g. CBSD signals. Step 5222includes steps 5224, 5226 and 5228. In step 5224 the first UE measures atotal received power in the first frequency band. In step 5226 the firstUE device measures a received power in the first frequency bandattributed to base stations, e.g., CBSDs, e.g., based on received pilotsignals. In step 5228, the first UE determines, e.g., calculates areceived power in the first frequency band attributed to incumbentuser(s), e.g., first UE determined received power attributed toincumbent user(s)=measured total received power−measured received powerattributed to base stations, e.g., CBSDs. Operation proceeds from step5222 to step 5230. In step 5230 the first UE device generates a reportto communicate first received power information, e.g. first UEdetermined received power attributed to incumbent user(s) in the firstfrequency band, to the first base station. Operation proceeds from step5230 to step 5232. In step 5232 the first UE sends, e.g., transmits, thegenerated report communicating the first received power information,e.g., first UE determined received power attributed to incumbentuser(s), to the first base station. In response to step 5232, operationproceeds to step 522.

The operations of step 5220 are repeated, e.g., repetitively inaccordance with the commanded measurement rate and/or commandedreporting rate, until the specified monitoring mode duration expires, atwhich time the first UE device transitions to normal operating mode.

In step 522 the first base station receives first received powermeasurement information from the first UE device, said first receivedpower measurement information being based on a total received power inthe first frequency band measured by the first UE device. In someembodiments, the first received power measurement information includessignal energy information indicating a first total received signalenergy in the first frequency. In some embodiments, the first receivedpower measurement information includes signal energy informationindicating a first total received signal energy in the first frequencyband reduced by an amount of signal energy of base station signals,e.g., CBSD signals, e.g., as determined from pilot signals measured bythe first UE device, said first received power measurement informationbeing received from the first UE device. Operation proceeds from step522 to step 524.

In step 524 the first base station communicates to a system managementdevice, e.g., a spectrum access system (SAS), received signal powermeasurement information, said received signal power measurementinformation being based on at least said first received powermeasurement information. In some embodiments, step 524 includes step526, in which the first base station communicates a received powergenerated by said from received power information provided by two ormore different UE devices. In some embodiments, the received signalpower measurement information includes an average received powergenerated by the first base station from multiple reported receivedpowers. In some such embodiments, the average power excludes fromconsideration received signal power corresponding to base stationsignals, e.g., CBSD signals, detected as being received by the UEdevices, said base stations providing the UEs reporting received signalpower information.

Operation proceeds from step 524, via connecting node B 528, to step530. In step 530 the system management system, e.g., the SAS, isoperated to make a decision whether or not to shut down first basestation downlink operation based on the received signal powermeasurement information provided by the first base station. Step 530includes step 532, 534, 536, and in some embodiments, step 538.

In step 534 the system management system compares a received signalpower reported by the first base station to a signal power thresholdlevel. Operation proceeds from step 532 to step 534.

In step 534 if the comparison indicates that the received power reportedby the first base station exceeds the signal power threshold level, thenoperation proceeds from step 534 to step 536; otherwise, operationproceeds from step 534 to step 538.

Returning to step 536, in step 536 the system management device commandsthe first base station to stop using the first frequency band forproviding downlink communications to UE devices. Operation proceeds fromstep 536 to step 540.

In step 540 the first base station receives a command to stop using thefirst frequency band for providing downlink communications to UEdevices, said command being received from the system management system.Operation proceeds from step 540 to step 542 and 544. In step 542 thefirst base station, in response to said command, is operated to ceaseusing the first frequency band for UE data downlink communications whilecontinuing to allow UE devices to use said first frequency band forreporting of power measurements. In step 544 the first base station, inresponse to said command, is operated to continue using the firstfrequency band for control signaling relating to power measurements butnot use the first frequency band for UE downlink data such as voicedata. Operation proceeds from step 542 and 544 to step 546.

In step 546 the system management system, e.g. a SAS, commands the firstbase station to re-start using the first frequency band for providingdownlink communication to UE devices based on received signal powermeasurement n information provided by the first base station, e.g., acomparison indicates that received signal power reported by the firstbase station no longer exceeds the signal power threshold level.Operation proceeds from step 546 to step 548.

In step 548 the first base station receives the command to re-startusing the first frequency band for providing downlink communications toUE devices, said re-start command being received from the systemmanagement system. Operation proceeds from step 548 to step 550.

In step 550 the first base station, in response to said command tore-start, re-starts using the first frequency band for UE data downlinkcommunications while continuing to allow UE devices to uses said firstfrequency band for reporting of power measurements.

Returning to step 538, in step 538 the first base station changes themeasurement frequency which is to be used by the first UE device.Operation proceeds from step 538, via connecting node B 428 to step 518.

FIG. 6, comprising the combination of FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B and FIG. 6C, is aflowchart 600 of an exemplary method of operating a system managementdevice, e.g., a SAS, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.Operation starts in step 602, in which the system management device,e.g. the SAS, is powered on and initialized. Operation proceeds fromstep 602 to step 604, via connecting node A 618 to step 620, viaconnecting node B 626 to step 628 and via connecting node C 642 to step644.

In step 604 the system management device monitors for registrationrequests from base stations, e.g., CBSDs. Step 604 is performedrepetitively on an ongoing basis. Step 604 includes step 606 in whichthe system management device receives a registration request from a basestation, e.g. a CBSD. Operation proceeds from step 606 to step 608 inwhich the system management device registers the base station, e.g., theCBSD. Operation proceeds from step 608 to step 610.

In step 610 the system management device determines if the base stationis located in a border area, e.g., along a coast line, in whichincumbent users of a CBRS band may be detected. If the system managementdevice determines that the base station is located in a border area,e.g., along a coast line, in which incumbent users of a CBRS band may bedetected, then operation proceeds from step 610 to step 612; otherwiseoperation proceeds from step 610 to step 616.

In step 612 the system management device selects, the base station, e.g.CBSD, to collect and report incumbent user measurement information.Operation proceeds from step 612 to step 614. In step 614 the systemmanagement device, e.g., a SAS, sends measurement time information andlocations, e.g., a location pattern, to the selected base station foruse in monitoring for incumbent users within a CBRS band, said selectedbase station to select and control user equipment (UE) devices tomonitor and report received power levels attributed to incumbent users.

Returning to step 616, in step 616 the system management device removesthe base from consideration as a candidate base station to be used formonitoring for incumbent users with a CBRS band.

Returning to step 620, in step 620 the system management device, e.g., aSAS, monitors for reports from selected base stations, e.g. selectedCBSDs, communicating incumbent user measurement based information, e.g.,a base station determined, e.g., calculated, incumbent user receivedpower level. Step 620 is performed on an ongoing basis, e.g.,repetitively. Step 620 includes step 622 in which the system managementdevice receives a report from a selected base station, e.g., a selectedCBSD, communicating incumbent user measurement based information, e.g.,a base station determined, e.g., calculated, incumbent user receivedpower level. Operation proceeds from step 622 to step 624.

In step 624 the system management device, e.g., a SAS, stores thereported incumbent user measurement base information, e.g., the basestation determined, e.g., calculated, incumbent user received powerlevel.

Returning to step 628, in step 628 the system management device, e.g. aSAS, combines information from a plurality of reporting base stations,e.g., reporting CBSDs, e.g., corresponding to a region, to determine apower level corresponding to incumbent user. Operation proceeds fromstep 628 to step 630.

In step 630 the system management system, e.g., a SAS, determines if thedetermined power level corresponding to incumbent user exceeds ashutdown threshold. If the determined power level corresponding toincumbent user exceeds the shutdown threshold, then operation proceedsfrom step 630 to step 632; otherwise, operation proceeds from step 630to step 628.

In step 632 the system management device, e.g., a SAS, sends a downlink(DL) traffic shutdown command to one or more of the selected basestations, e.g., selected CBSDs, e.g., the plurality of base stationscorresponding to the region. Operation proceeds from step 632 to step634.

In step 634 the system management device, e.g., a SAS, combinesinformation from the plurality of reporting base stations, e.g., CBSDs,e.g., corresponding to the region, to determine a power levelcorresponding to incumbent user. Operation proceeds from step 634 tostep 636.

In step 636 the system management system, e.g., a SAS, determines if thedetermined power level corresponding to incumbent user is below arestart threshold. If the determined power level corresponding toincumbent user is below the restart threshold, then operation proceedsfrom step 636 to step 638; otherwise, operation proceeds from step 638to step 634.

In step 638 the system management device, e.g., a SAS, determines thatthe detected incumbent user(s) is gone. Operation proceeds from step 638to step 640.

In step 640 the system management device, e.g., a SAS, sends a DLtraffic restart command to one or more selected base stations, e.g.CBSDs, which were shutdown with regard to DL traffic, said restartcommand commanding the base stations to restart sending DL trafficsignals on the CBRS band.

Returning to step 644, in step 644, the system management device, e.g.,a SAS, evaluates and determines if the system management device isadequately detecting incumbent users. If the determination is that thesystem management device is adequately detecting incumbent users, thenoperation proceeds from step 644 to step 646. In step 646 the systemmanagement device maintains operations using the current sets ofmeasurement time and location information which have been previouslysent to the selected base stations. However, if the determination isthat the system management device is not adequately detecting incumbentusers, then operation proceeds from step 644 to step 648. In step 648the system management device, e.g., a SAS, changes measurement timeinformation and/or locations information (e.g., location pattern) for atleast some of the selected base stations. Operation proceeds from step648 to step 650. In step 650 the system management system, e.g., a SAS,send updated, e.g., new, measurement time information and/or updated,e.g., new, location information (new location pattern) to the at leastsome of the selected base stations.

FIG. 7, comprising the combination of FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B and FIG. 7C, is aflowchart 700 of an exemplary method of operating a base station, e.g.,a CBSD, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Operation starts instep 702 in which the base station, e.g., the CBSD, is powered on andinitialized. Operation proceeds from start step 702 to step 704, to step724 via connecting node A 722, to step 738 via connecting node B 736,and to step 750 via connecting node C 748.

In step 704 the base station sends a registration request to a systemmanagement device, e.g., a SAS. Operation proceeds from step 704 to step706.

In step 706 the base station receives an indication that the basestation has been selected by the system management device to be used tocollect and report incumbent user measurement information, e.g., energyand/or power measurements attributed to incumbent user in a CBRS band.Operation proceeds from step 706 to step 708.

In step 708 the base station receives measurement time information andlocations, e.g., a location pattern, from the system management device,for use in monitoring for incumbent user(s) within a CBRS band, saidbase station to select and control user equipment (UE) devices, e.g.,cell phones, to monitor and report received power attributed toincumbent user. Operation proceeds from step 708 to step 710.

In step 710 the base station selects target UE devices, e.g., targetcell phones, which are to act as sensor devices and performmeasurements. In some embodiments, step 710 includes step 712, in whichthe base station selects a different UE at a different location for eachof one or more locations of interest communicated from the systemmanagement device. In some embodiments, step 710 includes step 714 inwhich the base station selects multiple UEs at different location foreach of one or more locations of interest communicated from the systemmanagement device. Operation proceeds from step 710 to step 716.

In step 716 the base station signals each of the selected UEs totransition into sensor mode and base station further communicates toeach of the selected UEs information indicating a duration that the UEis to remain in sensor mode. In some embodiments, the base stationfurther communicates to the UE time information corresponding to themonitoring, measuring, and/or reporting of results relating to sensormode operations, e.g., when to perform measurements in accordance with atiming structure, frequency between monitoring intervals, duration of amonitoring interval, frequency between monitoring reports, number ofsamples used to generate a monitoring report, etc. Operation proceedsfrom step 716 to step 718.

In step 718 the base station monitors to detect reports communicating aUE determined, e.g., UE calculates, signal power value attributed toincumbent user in a CBRS band. Step 718 is performed on an ongoingbasis, e.g., repetitively. Step 718 include includes step 719 in whichthe base station receives a report from a selected UE communicating a UEdetermined, e.g., UE calculated, signal power value attributed toincumbent user in a CBRS band. Operation proceeds from step 719 to step720 in which the base station stores information from the receivedreport from the selected UE communicating a UE determined, e.g., UEcalculated signal power value attributed to incumbent user in a CBRSband.

Returning to step 724, in step 724 the base station determines if thereare multiple selected UEs corresponding to a system management indicatedlocation of interest. If there are multiple selected UEs correspondingto a system management indicated location of interest, then operationproceeds from step 724 to 730; otherwise, operation proceeds from step724 to step 726 or step 728 depending upon the particular embodiment.

In step 730 the base station processes, e.g., averages, the informationfrom multiple received reports from a set of selected UEs at differentlocations, corresponding to the system management device location ofinterest, each report communicating a UE determined, e.g., a UEcalculated, signal value power attributed to incumbent user in a CBRSband, to generate a signal power value attributed to incumbent user tobe reported to the system management device.

In step 726 the base station uses information from a single receivedreport from a selected UE communicating a UE determined, e.g., UEcalculated, signal power value attributed to incumbent user in a CBRSband as a signal power value attributed to incumbent user to be reportedto the system management device.

In step 729 the base station processes, e.g., averages, the informationfrom multiple received reports (different time reports) from the sameselected UE at the same location, communicating a UE determined, e.g. UEcalculated, signal power value attributed to incumbent user in a CBRSband, to generate a signal power value attributed to incumbent user tobe reported to the system management device.

Operation proceeds from one of steps 726, 728 or 730 to step 732. Instep 732 the base station generates a report including the signal powervalue attributed to incumbent user to be reported to the systemmanagement device. Operation proceeds from step 732 to step 732 in whichthe base station sends the generated report including the signal powerattributed to incumbent user based on UE measurements to the systemmanagement device.

In step 738 the base station monitors for commands from the systemmanagement device. Step 738 is performed on an ongoing basis, e.g.,repetitively. Step 738 includes steps 740 and step 742. One of step 740or step 742 is performed during some of iterations of step 738.

In step 740 the base station receives a DL traffic shutdown command fromthe system management device. Operation proceeds from step 740 to step744. In step 744 the base station shuts down downlink traffic in theCBRS band in response to the received DL traffic shutdown command. ULreports from sensor mode UEs in the CBRS band are allowed to continue,and in some embodiments, emergency uplink signaling, e.g., 911 relatedsignaling is also allowed to continue.

In step 742 the base station receives a DL traffic re-start command fromthe system management device. Operation proceeds from step 742 to step746. In step 746 the base station shuts re-starts downlink traffic inthe CBRS band in response to the received DL traffic shutdown command.

Returning to step 750, in step 750 the base station monitors for signalsfrom the system management device communicating updated, e.g. new,timing measurement information and/or new location information (newlocation pattern information). Step 750 is performed on an ongoingbasis, e.g. repetitively. Some iterations of step 750 includes step 752in which the base station receives updated, e.g. new, timing measurementinformation and/or new location information (new location pattern) fromthe system management device. Operation proceeds from step 752 to step754 in which the base station uses the updated measurement timeinformation and/or updated location information in selecting UEs tooperate in sensor mode and/or controlling the selected UEs.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart 800 of an exemplary method of operating a userequipment (UE) device, e.g., a cell phone, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment. Operation starts in step 802 in which the UE ispowered on and initialized. Operation proceeds from step 802 to step804. In step 804 the UE connects to a base station, e.g. a CBSD.Operation proceeds from step 804 to step 806. In step 806 the UEoperates in normal mode. In normal mode the UE may, and sometimes does,receive DL traffic signals in a CBRS band from the base station and sendUL traffic signals in the CBRS band to the base station. In normal modethe UE does not report to the base station a UE determined, e.g., UEcalculated, a power level value or energy level value attributed toincumbent user in the CBRS band. Operation proceeds from step 806 tostep 808.

In step 808 the UE monitors for a signal from a base station, e.g., aCBSD, to which the UE is connected commanding the UE to enter sensormode. Step 808 is performed on an ongoing basis, e.g., repetitively.Some iterations of step 808 includes step 810 in which the UE receives asignal from the base station, e.g., the CBSD, to which the UE isconnected, commanding the UE to enter sensor mode. Operation proceedsfrom step 810 to step 812.

In step 812 the UE receives information indicating the duration that theUE should remain in sensor mode. In some embodiments, step 812 isincluded as part of step 810. In some embodiments, the UE furtherreceives information related to sensor mode operations to be performedby the UE, e.g. timing information for performing measurements, numberof measurement samples, intervals between measurements, reporting formatinformation, reporting interval information, etc.

In step 814 the UE transitions into the sensor mode. In sensor mode theUE may, and sometimes does, receive DL traffic signals in a CBRS bandfrom the base station and send UL traffic signals in the CBRS band tothe base station. In addition in sensor mode the UE reports to the basestation a UE determined, e.g., UE calculated, power level value orenergy level value attributed to incumbent user in the CBRS band basedon its measurements. Operation proceeds from step 814 to step 816.

In step 816 the UE is operated in sensor mode for the indicatedduration. Step 816 includes steps 818, 820, 822, 824, and 826. In step818 the UE measures total received power in a CBRS band. In step 818 theUE measures received power in the CBRS band attributable to basestations, e.g., CBSDs. In step 822 the UE determines, e.g., calculates areceived power in the CBRS band attributable to incumbent user, e.g.received power in the CBRS band attributable to incumbent user=totalreceived power in the CBRS band−received power in the CBRS bandattributable to CBSD base stations. In some embodiments, the powermeasurements are performed during intervals in which pilot or otherknown strength signals are transmitted by the base stations, e.g., theCBSDs.

In some embodiments, steps 818, 820 and 822 are performed multiple time,each iteration generating a power level value attributable to incumbentuser, and then step 824 is performed. In some embodiments, one pass ofsteps 818, 820 and 822 is performed and then operation proceeds to step826.

In step 824 the UE processes, e.g., averages, multiple determinedreceived power values attributed to incumbent user to determine areceived power value attributable to incumbent user to be reported tothe base station. Operation proceeds from step 824 to step 826.

In step 826 the base station sends a message to base station, e.g. theCBSD, which commanded the UE into sensor mode, reporting the determined,e.g. calculated received power in the CBRS band attributable toincumbent user.

Although the flowchart of FIG. 8 has been described in terms of powermeasurements, it should be appreciated that energy measurements can alsoalternatively be measured and reported, e.g., with the energymeasurement values corresponding to a predetermined time duration whichknown to the UE and base station

FIG. 9 is a drawing 900 illustrating an exemplary communications system901 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, which uses selected userequipment (UE) devices as sensor devices to measure received signals ina CBRS band, which may and sometimes do, include signals transmitted byan incumbent user, and which responds to a detected incumbent user byturning off downlink traffic at one or more CBSDs, in the vicinity ofthe detected incumbent user. The exemplary communications system 901shown in FIG. 9 includes a SAS 908, coupled to a plurality of CBSDs(CBSD 1 910, CBSD 2 912, CBSD 3 914, CBSD 4 916, CBSD 5 918, . . . ,CBSD N 910) coupled together as shown. CBSDs (CBSD 1 910, CBSD 2 912,CBSD 3 914, CBSD 4 916) are consider by the SAS 908 to be coastal CBSDsand have been selected by the SAS 908 to: i) control selected UEs tooperate as sensor devices and ii) to report determined power and/ordetermined energy level values attributed to incumbent user to the SASfor evaluation. In this example, CBSD 1 910 and CBSD 2 912 correspond toa first coast area and CBSD 3 and CBSD 4 916 correspond to a secondcoast area, said first and second coastal areas being disjoint coastalareas along coast line 906. Coast line 906 separates land 902 from ocean904. CBSD 5 918 and CBSD N 920 are considered by the SAS 908 to beinland CBSDs and do not participate in the monitoring for incumbentusers.

The exemplary system 901 of FIG. 9 further includes a plurality of UEs,e.g., cell phones. As shown in FIG. 9 UEs (UE 1A 922, UE 2A 923, UE 3A924, UE 4A 925, UE 5A 926, . . . , UE NA 927) are coupled to CBSD 1 910.As shown in FIG. 9 UEs (UE 1B 932, UE 2B 933, UE 3B 934, UE 4B 935, UE5B 936, . . . , UE NB 937) are coupled to CBSD 2 912. As shown in FIG. 9UEs (UE 1C 942, UE 2C 943, UE 3C 944, UE 4C 945, UE 5C 946, . . . , UENC 947) are coupled to CBSD 3 914. As shown in FIG. 9 UEs (UE 1D 952, UE2D 953, UE 3D 954, UE 4D 955, UE 5D 956, . . . , UE ND 957) are coupledto CBSD 4 916. As shown in FIG. 9 UEs (UE 1E 962, UE 2E 963, UE 3E 964,UE 4E 965, UE 5E 966, . . . , UE NE 967) are coupled to CBSD 5 918. Asshown in FIG. 9 UEs (UE 1F 972, UE 2F 973, UE 3F 974, UE 4F 975, UE 5F976, . . . , UE NF 977) are coupled to CBSD N 920.

UE 1A 922 and UE 2A 923 have been selected and commanded by CBSD 1 910to operate in sensor mode. UE NB 937 and UE 2B 933 have been selectedand commanded by CBSD 2 912 to operate in sensor mode and are operatingin sensor mode.

UE 1C 942 and UE 3C 944 have been selected and commanded by CBSD 3 914to operate in sensor mode. UE 2D 953 and UE 4D 955 have been selectedand commanded by CBSD 4 916 to operate in sensor mode and are operatingin sensor mode.

Based on received signals measurements by UE 1A 922, UE 2A 923, UE NB937 and UE 2B 933, and based on reported information from CBSD 1 910 andCBSD 2 912, SAS 908 has determined that a received power or receivedenergy level value attributed to incumbent user(s) has exceeded athreshold, and the SAS has commanded CBSDs (CBSD1 910 and CBSD 2 912) toturn-off DL traffic in the CBRS communications band, and CBSD1 910 andCBSD 2 912 have suspended downlink traffic signaling. However; sensormode related operation continue so that the SAS can determine when theincumbent user 999 has left the area, and then the SAS can command CBSD1 910 and CBSD 2 912 to resume DL traffic signaling operations in theCBRS band. Thus incumbent user 999, which is in the vicinity of coastalregion 1, is able to uses the CBRS band for its communications withoutexcessive interference from CBSD 1 910 and CBSD 2 912, while it remainsin the coastal region 1.

Based on received signals measurements by UE 1C 924, UE 3C 944, UE 2D953 and UE 4D 955, and based on reported information from CBSD 4 916 andCBSD 3 914, SAS 908 has determined that a received power or receivedenergy level value attributed to incumbent user(s) has not exceeded athreshold for shutting off downlink traffic. Therefore CBSD 3 914 andCBSD 4 916 continue operating communicating with their connected UEs,said communicating including sending downlink traffic signals andreceiving uplink traffic signals.

It should be appreciated that the selection of a set of UEs by a coastalCBSD to operate in sensor mode may, and sometimes does, change overtime, e.g., as conditions change, e.g., UEs change location, UEremaining battery power changes, and/or a UE changes its level ofactivity. In some embodiments, the coast CBSDs selects a set of UEs tooperate in sensor mode in accordance with a location pattern specifiedby the SAS.

FIG. 10 is a drawing of an exemplary base station 1000, e.g., anexemplary Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device (CBSD), in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment. Exemplary base station 1000 is, e.g., anyof CBSDs (102, 104) of FIG. 1, CBSD 210 of FIG. 2, any of CBSDs (304,306, 308) of FIG. 3, a CBSD implementing steps of the method of FIG. 4,a base station, e.g., a first base station, e.g. a first CBSD,implementing steps of the method of FIG. 5, a base station, e.g. a CBSDimplementing the steps of flowchart 700 of FIG. 7, and/or any of theCBSDs (910, 912, 914, 916) of FIG. 9 and/or a base station, e.g. a CBSDdescribed with respect to any of the Figures. In some embodiments basestation 1000 is a CBSD device which includes the capabilities of a CBSDas defined by the Federal Communications Commission's Rules with Regardto Commercial Operations in the 3550-3650 MHz Band. Exemplary basestation 1000 includes a processor 1002, e.g., a CPU, wireless interface1004, a network interface 1106, e.g., a wired or optical interface, anassembly of hardware components 1008, e.g., an assembly of circuits, anI/O interface 1010 and memory 1012 coupled together via a bus 1014 overwhich the various elements may interchange data and information. Basestation 1000 further includes a speaker 1040, switches 1042, mouse 1044,keypad 1046 and a display 1048 coupled to I/O interface 1010, via whichthe various I/O devices (1040, 1042, 1044, 1046, 1048) may communicatewith other elements (1002, 1004, 1006, 1008, 1012) of the base station1000. Network interface 1006 includes a receiver 1022 and a transmitter1024. In some embodiments, receiver 1022 and transmitter 1024 are partof a transceiver 1020. Wireless interface 1004 includes a wirelessreceiver 1028 and a wireless transmitter 1030. In some embodiments,receiver 1028 and transmitter 1030 are part of a transceiver 1026. Invarious embodiments, wireless interface 1004 includes a plurality ofwireless receivers and a plurality of wireless transmitters. Wirelessreceiver 1028 is coupled to a plurality of receive antennas (receiveantenna 1 1032, . . . , receive antenna M 1034), via which base station1000 can receive wireless signals from other wireless communicationsdevices including UE devices, e.g., cell phones. Wireless transmitter1030 is coupled to a plurality of wireless transmit antennas (transmitantenna 1 1036, . . . , transmit antenna N 1038) via which the basestation 1000 can transmit signals to other wireless communicationsdevices including UE devices, e.g., cell phones. Exemplary base station1000 in some embodiments includes a subscriber identification module(SIM) 1009, also known as a SIM card.

Memory 1012 includes an assembly of components 1016 e.g., an assembly ofsoftware components, and data/information 1018. Data/information 1018includes UE device information corresponding to a plurality of userequipment devices (UE device A information 1050, UE device N information1052 where A to N are the UE devices being serviced by the base station.The SIM card 460 is an integrated circuit that securely stores aninternational mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) number and its relatedkey, which are used to identify and authenticate the base station.Through the use of the SIM card 460 the base station appears as a mobileuser equipment device (UE) to a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO)network.

FIG. 11 is a drawing of an exemplary user equipment (UE) device 1100 inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment. Exemplary UE device 1100 is,e.g., any of cell phones (106, 108, 110) of FIG. 1, cell phone 202 ofFIG. 2, any of cell phones (310, 312, 314) of FIG. 3, a cell phoneimplementing steps or described in steps of the method of FIG. 4, a UE,e.g., a first UE, e.g. a first cell phone, implementing steps of themethod of FIG. 5, a UE device, e.g. a cell phone implementing the stepsof flowchart 800 of FIG. 8, and/or any of the UEs (922, 923, 924, 925,926, 927, 942, 943, 944, 945, 946, 947, 952, 953, 954, 955, 956, 957,962, 963, 964, 965, 966, 967, 972, 974, 975, 976, 977) of FIG. 9 and/ora UE device, e.g. a cell phone, described with respect to any of theFigures. UE device 1100 is, e.g., mobile device such as, e.g., a cellphone, a smart phone, wireless tablet or wireless notebook. UE device1100, in some embodiments, includes Long Term Evolution (LTE), e.g., 4GLTE, mobile device capabilities. Exemplary UE device 1100 supportscommunications in a CBRS communications band. Exemplary UE device 1100includes a processor 1102, e.g., a CPU, a wireless interface 1104, anetwork interface 1106, an assembly of hardware components 1108, e.g.,an assembly of circuits, and I/O interface 1110 and memory 1112 coupledtogether via a bus 1114 over which the various elements may interchangedata and information. UE device 1100 further includes a microphone 1140,speaker 1142, camera 1144, a display 1146, e.g., a touch screen display,switches 1148, keypad 1150 and mouse 1152 coupled to I/O interface 1110,via which the various I/O devices (1140, 1142, 1144, 1146, 1148, 1150,1152) may communicate with other elements (1102, 1104, 1106, 1108, 1112)of the UE device 1100. Network interface 1106 includes a receiver 1120and a transmitter 1122. In some embodiments, receiver 1120 andtransmitter 1122 are part of a transceiver 1116. Wireless interface 1104includes a wireless receiver 1124 and a wireless transmitter 1126. Insome embodiments, receiver 1124 and transmitter 1126 are part of atransceiver 1118. In various embodiments, wireless interface 1104includes a plurality of wireless receivers and a plurality of wirelesstransmitters. Wireless receiver 1124 is coupled to one or more receiveantennas (receive antenna 1 1128, . . . , receive antenna M 1130), viawhich UE device 1100 can receive wireless signals from other wirelesscommunications devices including, e.g., a base station, e.g., a CBSDtransmitting into a CBRS band. Exemplary wireless signals received froma base station include, e.g., downlink traffic signals, pilot signals,and control signals including, e.g., a command to transition to amonitoring mode (sensor mode), a duration time to remain in themonitoring mode, measurement timing information and locationsinformation (location pattern) to be used for performing monitoring andmeasurements with regard to incumbent user in a CBRS band. UE device1100 may also receive signals from incumbent users, e.g., a ship off thecoast, using spectrum in a CBRS communications band. Wirelesstransmitter 1126 is coupled to one or more wireless transmit antennas(transmit antenna 1 1132, . . . , transmit antenna N 1134) via which theUE device 1100 can transmit signals to other wireless communicationsdevice including a base station, e.g., a CBSD. Exemplary signalstransmitted via wireless transmitter 1126 include, e.g., uplink trafficsignals, signals conveying remaining battery power level, signalsconveying a current state of operation of the UE, signals conveyinglocation of the UE or information used to derive UE location,measurement information signals, e.g., power and/or energy measurementinformation, e.g., corresponding to a CBRS band being monitored by theUE, power and/or energy measurement information related to signalsattributed to CBSDs, and a UE determined power or energy levelattributed to incumbent user in a CBRS band. Memory 1112 includes anassembly of components 1136, e.g., an assembly of software components,and data/information 1138. FIG. 12 is a drawing of an exemplary systemmanagement device 1200, e.g., a Spectrum Access System (SAS) device, inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment. Exemplary system managementdevice 1200 is, e.g., SAS 208 of FIG. 2, SAS 302 of FIG. 3, a SASimplementing steps of the method of FIG. 4, a system management device,e.g. a SAS, implementing steps of the method of FIG. 5, a base station,e.g. a system management device, e.g., a SAS, implementing the steps offlowchart 600 of FIG. 6, and/or SAS 908 of FIG. 9 and/or a systemmanagement device, e.g. a SAS, described with respect to any of theFigures. The system management device 1200, in some embodiments,includes the capabilities of a SAS as defined by the FederalCommunications Commission's Rules with Regard to Commercial Operationsin the 3550-3650 MHz Band. Exemplary system management device 1200includes a processor 1202, e.g., a CPU, a network interface 1204, e.g.,a wired or optical interface, an I/O interface 1206, an assembly ofhardware components 1208, e.g., an assembly of circuits, and memory 1210coupled together via a bus 1214 over which the various elements mayinterchange data and information. The system management device 1200further includes a speaker 1216, a switches 1218, mouse 1220, display1222 and keypad 1224 coupled to I/O interface 1206, via which thevarious I/O devices (1216, 1218, 1220, 1222, 1224) may communicate withother elements (1202, 1204, 1208, 1210) of the system management device1200. Network interface 1204 includes a receiver 1226 and a transmitter1228. The network interface 1204 is typically used to communicate withother SAS devices and base stations, e.g. CBSDs. In some embodiments,receiver 1226 and transmitter 1228 are part of a transceiver 1230.Memory 1210 includes an assembly of component 1232, e.g., an assembly ofsoftware components, and data/information 1234. Data/information 616includes base station, e.g., CBSD, information corresponding to aplurality of base stations, e.g., CBSDs (base station 1 information1236, e.g., CBSD 1 information, . . . , base station 2 information 1238,e.g., CBSD 2 information).

FIG. 13, comprising the combination of FIG. 13A, FIG. 13B, FIG. 13C,FIG. 13D and FIG. 13E, is a drawing of an exemplary assembly ofcomponents 1300, comprising the combination of Part A 1301, Part B 1303,Part C 1305, Part D 1307 and Part E 1309, which may be included in anexemplary base station, e.g., a CBSD, e.g., a selected CBSD along acoast line, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Exemplaryassembly of components 1300 is, e.g., included in base station 1000,e.g., a CBSD, any of CBSDs (102, 104) of FIG. 1, CBSD 210 of FIG. 2, anyof CBSDs (304, 306, 308) of FIG. 3, a CBSD implementing steps of themethod of FIG. 4, a base station, e.g., a first base station, e.g. afirst CBSD, implementing steps of the method of FIG. 5, a base station,e.g. a CBSD implementing the steps of flowchart 700 of FIG. 7, and/orany of the CBSDs (910, 912, 914, 916) of FIG. 9 and/or a base station,e.g. a CBSD described with respect to any of the Figures.

FIG. 13 is a drawing of an exemplary assembly of components 1300 whichmay be included in an exemplary base station, e.g., CBSD, 1000 of FIG.10, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The components in theassembly of components 1300 can, and in some embodiments are,implemented fully in hardware within a processor, e.g., processor 1002,e.g., as individual circuits. The components in the assembly ofcomponents 1300 can, and in some embodiments are, implemented fully inhardware within the assembly of hardware components 1008, e.g., asindividual circuits corresponding to the different components. In otherembodiments some of the components are implemented, e.g., as circuits,within processor 1002 with other components being implemented, e.g., ascircuits within assembly of components 1008, external to and coupled tothe processor 1002. As should be appreciated the level of integration ofcomponents on the processor and/or with some components being externalto the processor may be one of design choice. Alternatively, rather thanbeing implemented as circuits, all or some of the components may beimplemented in software and stored in the memory 1012 of the basestation 1000, with the components controlling operation of base station1000 to implement the functions corresponding to the components when thecomponents are executed by a processor e.g., processor 1002. In somesuch embodiments, the assembly of components 1300 is included in thememory 1012 as assembly of software components 1016. In still otherembodiments, various components in assembly of components 1300 areimplemented as a combination of hardware and software, e.g., withanother circuit external to the processor providing input to theprocessor which then under software control operates to perform aportion of a component's function. When implemented in software thecomponents include code, which when executed by a processor, e.g.,processor 1002, configure the processor to implement the functioncorresponding to the component. In embodiments where the assembly ofcomponents 1300 is stored in the memory 1012, the memory 1012 is acomputer program product comprising a computer readable mediumcomprising code, e.g., individual code for each component, for causingat least one computer, e.g., processor 1002, to implement the functionsto which the components correspond.

Completely hardware based or completely software based components may beused. However, it should be appreciated that any combination of softwareand hardware, e.g., circuit implemented components may be used toimplement the functions. As should be appreciated, the componentsillustrated in FIG. 13 control and/or configure the base station 1000 orelements therein such as the processor 1002, to perform the functions ofcorresponding steps illustrated and/or described in the method of one ormore of the flowcharts, signaling diagrams and/or described with respectto any of the Figures. Thus the assembly of components 1300 includesvarious components that perform functions of corresponding one or moredescribed and/or illustrated steps of an exemplary method.

Assembly of components 1300 includes a component 2404 configured toregister the base station, e.g., CBSD, with a system management device,e.g. a SAS, and a component 2410 configured to select target phone(s)for measurements. Component 2410 includes a component 2412 configured toselect a different phone at a different location for each of one or morelocations of interest communicated to the CBSD from the SAS. Component2412 includes a component 2414 configured to select only one phone at alocation corresponding to a selected location communicated from the SAS.Assembly of components 1300 further includes a component 2416 configuredto operate the CBSD to signal its selected phone(s) to transition into“sensor mode’ and communicate information indicating duration that thephone is to remain in sensor mode, a component 2424 configured tooperate the CBSD to send the information, e.g., measurement informationand/or measurement derived information, received from the phones to theSAS, a component 2435 configured to operate the CBSD to receive ashutdown command (but uplink UL traffic still continues for constantmonitoring reporting), and a component 2436 configured to operate theCBSD to halt downlink (DL) traffic in response to the received shutdowncommand (but UL traffic still continues for constant monitoringreporting).

Assembly of components 1300 further includes a component 2504 configuredto select, at the first base station, e.g., a CBSD that uses a firstfrequency band, e.g., a 3.5 GHz band, for communications, one or moreuser equipment (UE) devices to operate as power measurement devices,said one or more UE devices including a first UE device, e.g., a firstcell phone. Component 2504, in some embodiments, includes a component2506 configured to select multiple UE devices to operate as receivedsignal measurement devices. Component 2506 includes a component 2508configured to select devices at different locations to operate asreceived signal power monitoring devices. In some embodiments, component2504 includes a component 2510 configured to select one or more UEdevices as a function of: UE device location, ii) UE battery levelinformation, and/or iii) UE operation state information. In someembodiments, component 2510 includes one or both of a component 2512configured to provide a preference in said selection for a UE devicewith more battery power than a device having less remaining batterypower, and a component 2514 configured to provide a preference in saidselection for a UE device which is in an idle stat as compared to a UEdevice which is in an active communications state. In some embodiments,assembly of components 1300 includes a component 2516 configured todetermine, at the first base station, a frequency at which signalmeasurements are to be made by the first UE device based on whether thefirst base station is in a first mode of operation, e.g., an activestate, in which the first base station provides uplink and downlinkservices to UEs or in a second mode of operation in which downlinkservice is not provided to UEs. Assembly of components 1300 furtherincludes a component 2518 configured to operate the first base stationto signal the first UE device that it is to operate in a monitoring modeof operation in which signal measurements are performed. Component 2518includes a component 2519 configured to operate the first base stationto signal a duration that the first UE device is to remain in themonitoring mode of operation, and a component 2520 configured to operatethe first base station to signal the frequency at which signalmeasurements are to be made by the first UE. Assembly of components 1300further includes a component 2522 configured to operate the first basestation to receive, at the first base station, first received powermeasurement information from the first UE device, said first receivedpower measurement information being based on a total received power inthe first frequency band measured by the first UE device. Assembly ofcomponents 1300 further includes a component 2524 configured to operatethe first base station to communicate to a system management device,e.g., a spectrum access system (SAS), received signal power measurementinformation, said received signal power measurement information beingbased on at least said first received power measurement information.Component 2524 includes a component 2526 configured to operate the firstbase station to communicate a received power generated by said firstbase station from received power information provided by two or moredifferent UE devices. Assembly of components 1300 further includes acomponent 2538 configured to change the measurement frequency, acomponent 2540 configured to operate the first base station to receive acommand to stop using the first frequency band for providing downlinkcommunications to UE devices, said command being received from thesystem management system, a component 2542 configured to operate thefirst base station, in response to said command to cease using the firstfrequency band for UE data downlink communications while continuing toallow UE devices to use said first frequency band for reporting of powermeasurements, a component 2544 configured to operate the first basestation, in response to said command, to continue using the firstfrequency band for control signaling relating to power measurements bynot use the first frequency band for UE downlink data such as voicedata, a component 2548 configured to operate the first base station toreceive the command to re-start using the first frequency band forproviding downlink communications to UE devices, said command beingreceived from the system management system, and a component 2550configured to operate the first base station, in response to saidcommand to re-start, to re-start using the first frequency band for UEdata downlink communications while continuing to allow UE devices touses said first frequency band for reporting of power measurements.

Assembly of components 1300 includes a component 2704 configured tooperate the base station, e.g., a CBSD, to send a registration requestto a system management device, e.g., a SAS, a component 2706 configuredto operate the base station, e.g., a CBSD, to receive an indication thatthe base station, e.g., CBSD, has been selected by the system managementdevice to be used to collect and report incumbent user measurementinformation, and a component 2708 configured to receive measurement timeinformation and locations, e.g. a location pattern, from the systemmanagement device, for use in monitoring for incumbent users in a CBRSband, said base station to select and control user equipment (UE)devices to monitor and report received power levels attributed toincumbent user. Component 1300 further includes a component 2710configured to select target UE devices, e.g., target cell phones formeasurements. Component 2710 includes one or both of a component 2712configured to select a different UE at a different location for each ofone or more location of interest communicated from the system managementdevice and a component 2714 configured to select multiple UEs atdifferent locations for each of one or more locations of interestcommunicated from the system management device.

Assembly of components 1300 further includes a component 2716 configuredto operate the base station, e.g. CBSD, to signal each of the selectedUEs to transition into ‘sensor mode’ and communicate informationindicating the duration that the UE is to remain in sensor mode, acomponent 2718 configured to operate the base station, e.g., CBSD, tomonitor to detect reports communicating a UE determined, e.g. UEcalculated, signal power value attributed to incumbent users in a CBRSband. Component 2718 includes a component 2719 configured to operate thebase station, e.g., CBSD, to receive a report from a selected UEcommunicating a UE determined, e.g., UE calculated, signal powermeasurement value attributed to incumbent user in a CBRS band, and acomponent 2720 configured to store information from the received reportfrom the selected UE communicating a UE determined, e.g., UE calculated,signal power value attributed to incumbent user in a CBRS band. Assemblyof components 1300 further includes a component 2724 configured todetermine if there are multiple selected UEs corresponding to a systemmanagement device indicated location of interest and to controloperation as a function of the determination, a component 2726configured to use information from a single received report from aselected UE communicating a UE determined, e.g., UE calculated, signalpower value attributed to incumbent user in a CBRS band as a signalpower value attributed to incumbent user to be reported to the systemmanagement device, a component 2728 configured to process, e.g.,average, the information from multiple received reports (different timereports) from the same selected UE at the same location, communicating aUE determined, e.g., UE calculated, signal power value attributed toincumbent user in a CBRS band, to generated signal power valueattributed to incumbent user to be reported to the system managementdevices, and a component 2730 configured to process, e.g. average, theinformation from multiple received reports from a set of selected UEs atdifferent locations, corresponding to the system management devicelocation of interest, each report communicating a UE determined, e.g.,UE calculated, signal power value attribute to include user in a CBRSband to generate a signal power value attributed to incumbent user to bereported to the system management device. Assembly of components 1300further includes a component 2732 configured to generate a reportincluding the signal power value attributed to incumbent user to bereported to the system management device and a component 2734 configuredto operate the base station, e.g., CBSD, to send the generated reportincluding the signal power value attributed to incumbent user based onmeasurements toe the system management device. Assembly of components1300 further includes a component 2738 configured to monitor forcommands from the system management device, e.g., a SAS. Component 2738includes a component 2740 configured to operate the base station, e.g.,CBSD, to received a DL traffic shutdown command from the systemmanagement device and a component 2742 configured to operate the basestation, e.g., a CBSD, to receive a DL traffic re-start command from thesystem management device. Assembly of component 1300 further includes acomponent 2744 configured to operate the base station, e.g., a CBSD, toshown down downlink traffic in the CBRS band in response to the receivedDL traffic shutdown command, and a component 2746 configured to operatethe base station, egg., a CBSD, to re-start downlink traffic in the CBRSband in response to the received DL traffic re-start command. Assemblyof components 1300 further includes a component 2750 configured tomonitor for signals from the system management device, e.g., a SAS,communicating update, e.g., new, timing measurement information and/ornew location information (e.g., a new location pattern). Component 2750includes a component 2750 configured to operate the base station, e.g.,a CBSD, to receive updated, e.g., new measurement information and/or newlocation information (new location pattern) from the system managementdevice, Assembly of components 1300 further includes a component 2754configured to use the updated measurement time information and/orupdated location information in selecting UEs to operate in sensor modeand/or controlling the selected UEs.

FIG. 14, comprising the combination of FIG. 14A, FIG. 14B, FIG. 14C andFIG. 14D, is a drawing of an exemplary assembly of components 1400,comprising the combination of Part A 1401, Part B 1403, Part C 1405 andPart D 1407, which may be included in a system management device, e.g.,a SAS, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Exemplary assembly ofcomponents 1400 is, e.g., included in, e.g., system management device1200 of FIG. 12 e.g., a SAS, SAS 208 of FIG. 2, SAS 302 of FIG. 3, a SASimplementing steps of the method of FIG. 4, a system management device,e.g. a SAS, implementing steps of the method of FIG. 5, a base station,e.g. a system management device, e.g., a SAS, implementing the steps offlowchart 600 of FIG. 6, and/or SAS 908 of FIG. 9 and/or a systemmanagement device, e.g. a SAS, described with respect to any of theFigures.

FIG. 14 is a drawing of an exemplary assembly of components 1400 whichmay be included in an exemplary system management device, e.g., systemmanagement device 1200, e.g., a SAS, of FIG. 12, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment. The components in the assembly of components 1400can, and in some embodiments are, implemented fully in hardware within aprocessor, e.g., processor 1202, e.g., as individual circuits. Thecomponents in the assembly of components 1400 can, and in someembodiments are, implemented fully in hardware within the assembly ofhardware components 1208, e.g., as individual circuits corresponding tothe different components. In other embodiments some of the componentsare implemented, e.g., as circuits, within processor 1202 with othercomponents being implemented, e.g., as circuits within assembly ofcomponents 1208, external to and coupled to the processor 1202. Asshould be appreciated the level of integration of components on theprocessor and/or with some components being external to the processormay be one of design choice. Alternatively, rather than beingimplemented as circuits, all or some of the components may beimplemented in software and stored in the memory 1210 of the systemmanagement device 1200, with the components controlling operation ofsystem management device 1200 to implement the functions correspondingto the components when the components are executed by a processor e.g.,processor 1202. In some such embodiments, the assembly of components1400 is included in the memory 1210 as assembly of software components1232. In still other embodiments, various components in assembly ofcomponents 1400 are implemented as a combination of hardware andsoftware, e.g., with another circuit external to the processor providinginput to the processor which then under software control operates toperform a portion of a component's function.

When implemented in software the components include code, which whenexecuted by a processor, e.g., processor 1202, configure the processorto implement the function corresponding to the component. In embodimentswhere the assembly of components 1400 is stored in the memory 1210, thememory 1210 is a computer program product comprising a computer readablemedium comprising code, e.g., individual code for each component, forcausing at least one computer, e.g., processor 1202, to implement thefunctions to which the components correspond.

Completely hardware based or completely software based components may beused. However, it should be appreciated that any combination of softwareand hardware, e.g., circuit implemented components may be used toimplement the functions. As should be appreciated, the componentsillustrated in FIG. 14 control and/or configure the system managementdevice 1200 or elements therein such as the processor 1202, to performthe functions of corresponding steps illustrated and/or described in themethod of one or more of the flowcharts, signaling diagrams and/ordescribed with respect to any of the Figures. Thus the assembly ofcomponents 1400 includes various components that perform functions ofcorresponding one or more described and/or illustrated steps of anexemplary method.

Assembly of components 1400 includes a component 3406 configured toselect CBSDs, e.g., CBSDs near the coast line of a country, a component3408 configured to operate the SAS to send measurement time and certainlocations to the selected CBSDs, a component 3426 configured to combineinformation for each of the reporting CBSDs to determine if powertransmitted by incumbent user(s) is higher than a threshold, said powerbeing higher than a threshold indicating that an incumbent user wasdetected, a component 3430 configured to determine if incumbent userdetected and control operation as a function of the determination, acomponent 3432 configured to keep the same measurement time informationand locations to perform continuous monitoring, in response to adetermination that incumbent user was detected, a component 3434configured to operate the SAS to send a DL traffic shutdown command toone or more or all of the selected CBSDs, which are CBSDs on the coastline, e.g., in response to a determination that incumbent user detected,a component 3437 configured to determine that the incumbent user issubsequently determined to be gone, a component 3738 configured tooperate the SAS to send a command to CBSD(s) to turn on DL traffic onthe CBSD(s) (for which DL traffic was previously halted) if incumbentuser is subsequently determined to be gone, e.g. in response toincumbent user being subsequently determined to be gone, a component3440 configured to change the measurement time to new measurement timeand/or change the location(s) to new location(s) with regard toperforming continuous monitoring in response to a determination thatincumbent user is not detected, and a component 3442 configured tooperate the SAS to send the new measurement time and/or new certainlocation(s) to the selected CBSDs, e.g., in response to a determinationthat incumbent user is not detected.

Assembly of components 1400 further includes a component 3530 configuredto make a decision whether or not to shutdown first base stationdownlink operation based on the received signal power provided by thefirst base station and a component 3546 configured to operate the systemmanagement device to command the first base station to re-start usingthe first frequency band for providing downlink communion to UE devicesbased on received signal power information provided by the first basestation, e.g., a comparison indication that the received signal powerreported buy the first base station no longer exceeds the signal powerthreshold level.

Assembly of components 1400 includes a component 3604 configured tomonitor for registration requests from base station, e.g., CBSDs.Component 3604 includes a component 3606 configured to operate thesystem management device, e.g., a SAS, to receive a registration requestfrom a bases station, e.g. a CBSD. Assembly of components 1400 furtherincludes a component 3608 configured to operate the system managementdevice, e.g., a SAS, to register the base station, e.g., a CBSD, acomponent 3610 configured to operate the system management device, e.g.,a SAS, to determine if the base station is located in a border areas,e.g., along a coast line, in which incumbent users of a CBRS band may bedetected and to control operation as a function of the determination, acomponent 3612 configured to select the base station, e.g. CBSD, to beused to collect and report incumbent user measurement information, acomponent 3614 configured to operate the system management devices,e.g., a SAS, to send measurement information and locations, e.g., alocation pattern, to the selected base station for use in monitoring forincumbent users within a CBRS band, said selected base station to selectand control user equipment (UE) devices, e.g., cell phones, to monitorand report received power levels attributed to incumbent user, acomponent 3616 configured to operate the system management device, e.g.,a SAS to remove the base station from consideration as a candidate basestation to be used for monitoring for incumbent users with a CBRS band,e.g., in response to a determination that the base station is notlocation in a border area, e.g., along a coast line, e.g., the basestation is an inland base station. Assembly of components 1400 furtherincludes a component 3620 configured to monitor for reports fromselected base station, e.g., selected CBSDs, communicating incumbentuser measurement based information, e.g., a base station determined,e.g., calculated, incumbent user received power level. Component 3620includes a component 3622 configured to receive a report from a selectedbase station, e.g., a selected CBSD, communicating incumbent usermeasurement based information, e.g., a base station determined, e.g.,calculated, incumbent user received power level. Assembly of component1400 further includes a component 3624 configured to store the receivedreport4d incumbent user measurement based information, e.g., the basestation determined, e.g. calculated, incumbent user received powerlevel, a component 3628 configured to combine information from aplurality of reporting base stations, e.g. CBSDs, e.g., corresponding toa region, to determine a power level corresponding to incumbent user.Assembly of components 1400 further includes a component 3632 configuredto send a DL traffic shutdown command to one or more or all of theselected base stations, e.g., CBSDs, in response to a determination thatthe determined power level corresponding to incumbent user has exceededthe shutdown threshold, a component 3634 configured to combineinformation from the plurality of reporting base stations, e.g. CBSDs,e.g., corresponding to a region, to determine a power levelcorresponding to incumbent user, a component 3636 configured todetermine if the determined power level corresponding to incumbent useris below a restart threshold and to control operation as a function ofthe determination, a component 3638 configured to determine detectedincumbent user(s) is gone, e.g., in response to a determination that thedetermined power level corresponding to incumbent user is below arestart threshold, a component 3640 configured to send a DL trafficre-start command to the one or more selected base stations, e.g. CBSDS,which were shut down commanding the base stations to re-start DLtraffic, e.g., in respond to a determination that detected incumbentuser is gone, a component 3644 configured to determine if the systemmanagement device, e.g., SAS, is adequately detecting incumbent user(s)and to control operation as a function of the determination, a component3646 configured to maintain operation using the current sets ofmeasurement time and location information, which have been previouslysent to the selected base station, e.g., in response to a determinationthat the system management system is adequately detecting incumbentuser(s), a component 3648 configured to change measurement timeinformation and/or locations information (e.g., location pattern) for atleast some of the selected base stations, e.g., in response to adetermination that the system management system is not adequatelydetecting incumbent user(s), and a component 3650 configured to sendupdated, e.g. new measurement time information and/or new locationsinformation (new location pattern) to the at least some of the selectedbase stations, e.g., in response to a determination that the systemmanagement system is not adequately detecting incumbent user(s).

FIG. 15, comprising the combination of FIG. 15A and FIG. 15, is drawingof an assembly of components 1500, compromising the combination of PartA 1501 and Part B 1503, which may be included in a user equipment (UE)device, e.g. a cell phone, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.Exemplary assembly of components 1500 is, e.g., included in UE device1100, e.g., a cell phone, any of cell phones (106, 108, 110) of FIG. 1,cell phone 202 of FIG. 2, any of cell phones (310, 312, 314) of FIG. 3,a cell phone implementing steps or described in steps of the method ofFIG. 4, a UE, e.g., a first UE, e.g. a first cell phone, implementingsteps of the method of FIG. 5, a UE device, e.g. a cell phoneimplementing the steps of flowchart 800 of FIG. 8, and/or any of the UEs(922, 923, 924, 925, 926, 927, 942, 943, 944, 945, 946, 947, 952, 953,954, 955, 956, 957, 962, 963, 964, 965, 966, 967, 972, 974, 975, 976,977) of FIG. 9 and/or a UE device, e.g. a cell phone, described withrespect to any of the Figures.

FIG. 15 is a drawing of an exemplary assembly of components 1500 whichmay be included in an exemplary user equipment (UE) device, e.g., UEdevice 1100 of FIG. 11, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Thecomponents in the assembly of components 1500 can, and in someembodiments are, implemented fully in hardware within a processor, e.g.,processor 1102, e.g., as individual circuits. The components in theassembly of components 1100 can, and in some embodiments are,implemented fully in hardware within the assembly of hardware components1108, e.g., as individual circuits corresponding to the differentcomponents. In other embodiments some of the components are implemented,e.g., as circuits, within processor 1102 with other components beingimplemented, e.g., as circuits within assembly of components 1108,external to and coupled to the processor 1102. As should be appreciatedthe level of integration of components on the processor and/or with somecomponents being external to the processor may be one of design choice.Alternatively, rather than being implemented as circuits, all or some ofthe components may be implemented in software and stored in the memory1112 of the UE device 1100, with the components controlling operation ofUE device 1100 to implement the functions corresponding to thecomponents when the components are executed by a processor e.g.,processor 1102. In some such embodiments, the assembly of components1500 is included in the memory 1112 as assembly of software components1136. In still other embodiments, various components in assembly ofcomponents 1500 are implemented as a combination of hardware andsoftware, e.g., with another circuit external to the processor providinginput to the processor which then under software control operates toperform a portion of a component's function. When implemented insoftware the components include code, which when executed by aprocessor, e.g., processor 1102, configure the processor to implementthe function corresponding to the component. In embodiments where theassembly of components 1500 is stored in the memory 1112, the memory1112 is a computer program product comprising a computer readable mediumcomprising code, e.g., individual code for each component, for causingat least one computer, e.g., processor 1102, to implement the functionsto which the components correspond.

Completely hardware based or completely software based components may beused. However, it should be appreciated that any combination of softwareand hardware, e.g., circuit implemented components may be used toimplement the functions. As should be appreciated, the componentsillustrated in FIG. 15 control and/or configure the UE device 1100 orelements therein such as the processor 1102, to perform the functions ofcorresponding steps illustrated and/or described in the method of one ormore of the flowcharts, signaling diagrams and/or described with respectto any of the Figures. Thus the assembly of components 1500 includesvarious components that perform functions of corresponding one or moredescribed and/or illustrated steps of an exemplary method.

Assembly of components 1500 includes a component 4418 configured toperform sensor mode monitoring in accordance with the communicatedmeasurement time information, a component 4420 configured to determine,e.g. calculate, received signal power form incumbent user(s), e.g.,measured received total signal power−measured signal power from CBSDsignal=determined signal power from incumbent user(s). Assembly ofcomponents 1500 further includes a component 4422 configured to operatea UE, e.g. a phone, to send this determined, e.g., calculated, signalpower value to the CBSD which commanded the UE into sensor mode.

Assembly of components 1500 further includes a component 4521 configuredto operate a first UE device to receive a signal, e.g., a command, thatthe first UE device is to operate in a monitoring mode of operation inwhich signal measurements are performed. Component 4521 includes acomponent 45212 configured to operate the first UE device to receiveinformation indicating a duration that first UE is to remain in themonitoring mode of operation, and component 45214 configured to operatethe first UE device to receive information indicating a frequency atwhich signal measurements are to be made by the first UE device.Assembly of components 1500 further includes a component 45216configured to operate the first UE device to transition into themonitoring mode of operation in response to the received signal, e.g.,command, to operate in the monitoring mode of operation, a component45220 configured to operate the first UE device in monitoring mode forthe specified duration, e.g., using the commanded measurement frequency.Component 45220 includes a component 45222 configured to measurereceived power in a first frequency band, e.g. a first CBRS frequencyband, e.g. a 3.5 GHz frequency band, a component 45224 configured tomeasure a total received power in the first frequency band, a component45226 configured to measure a received power in the first frequency bandattributed to base stations, e.g. CBSDs, and component 45228 configuredto determine, e.g. calculate, a received power value in the firstfrequency band attributed to incumbent user(s). Assembly of components1500 further includes a component 45230 configured to generate a reportto communicate first received power, e.g. UE determined received powerattributed to incumbent user(s) in the first frequency band, to thefirst base station, and a component 45232 configured to operate thefirst UE to send the generated report communicating the first receivedpower information to the first base station.

Assembly of components 1500 further includes a component 4804 configuredto operate the UE to connection to a base station, e.g., a CBSD, acomponent 4806 configured to operate the UE in normal mode, a component4808 configured to operate the UE to monitor for a signal from a basestation, e.g. a CBSD, to which the UE is connected commanding the UE toenter sensor mode. Component 4808 includes a component 4810 configuredto operate the UE to receive a signal from a base station, e.g., a CBSD,to which the UE is connected, commanding the UE to enter sensor mode.Assembly of components 1500 further includes a component 4812 configuredto operate the UE to received information indicating the duration thatthe UE should remain in sensor mode, a component 4814 configured totransition the UE into sensor mode, and a component 4816 configured tooperate the UE in sensor mode for the indicated duration. Component 4816includes a component 4818 configured to measure total received power ina CBRS band, a component 4820 configured to measure received power inthe CBRS band attributable to base stations, e.g., CBSDs, e.g., based onreceived pilot signal and/or other know signals being transmitted by theCBSDS, and a component 4822 configured to determine, e.g. calculate areceived power attributable to incumbent user, a component 4824configured to process, e.g. average, multiple determined received powervalues attributable to incumbent user to determine a received powervalue attributable to incumbent user to report to the base station, anda component 4826 configured to operate the UE to send a message to basestation, e.g. CBSD, reporting the determined, e.g., calculated, receivedpower in the CBRS band attributable to incumbent user.

Numbered List of Exemplary Method Embodiments:

Method Embodiment 1 A method, the method comprising: selecting (504), ata first base station (e.g., a first CBSD) that uses a first frequencyband for communication (e.g., 3.5 GHz band used for CBSD communication),one or more user equipment (UE) devices (e.g., cell phones) to operateas power measurement devices, said one or more UE devices including afirst UE device (e.g. a first cell phone); receiving (522), at the firstbase station, first received power measurement information from the UEdevice, said first received power measurement information being based ona total received power in the first frequency band measured by the firstUE device; and communicating (524) to a system management device (e.g.,a SAS), received signal power information, said received signal powerinformation being based on at least said first received powermeasurement information.

Method Embodiment 2 The method of Method Embodiment 1, furthercomprising: operating the first base station to signal (518) to thefirst UE device that it is to operate in a monitoring mode of operation(sensor mode) in which signal measurements are performed.

Method Embodiment 3 The method of Method Embodiment 2, wherein signaling(518) to the first UE device that it is to operate in the monitoringmode of operation includes: signaling (520) a frequency at which signalmeasurements are to be made by the first UE device.

Method Embodiment 4 The method of Method Embodiment 3, furthercomprising: determining (516), at the first base station, (prior tosignaling (520) the frequency at which signal measurements are to bemade) the frequency at which signal measurements are to be made by thefirst UE based on whether the first base station (e.g., first CBSD) isin a first mode of operation (e.g., an active state) in which the firstbase station provides uplink and downlink services to UEs or in a secondmode of operation (e.g., an inactive state) in which downlink service isnot provided to UEs (the first base station (e.g., the first CBSD, hasmonitoring occur more frequently in some embodiments when it is in theinactive state with the hope that cell phones will rapidly detect thatthe first frequency band (a CBSD frequency band) has become availablefor use)

Method Embodiment 5 The method of Method Embodiment 1, wherein selecting(504) one or more UE devices includes: selecting (506) multiple UEdevices to operate as received signal power monitoring devices.

Method Embodiment 6 The method of Method Embodiment 5, wherein selecting(506) multiple UE devices includes selecting (508) devices at differentlocations to operate as received signal power monitoring devices.

Method Embodiment 7 The method of Method Embodiment 6, wherein saidselected one or more UE devices is a subset of UE devices attached tosaid first base station (wherein said one or more UE devices do notinclude at least some UE devices attached to said first base station andwhich are receiving service from the first base station).

Method Embodiment 8 The method of Method Embodiment 7, wherein saidselecting (504) one or more UE devices is performed (510) as a functionof: i) UE device location, ii) UE battery level information, and/or iii)UE operation state information (e.g., active or idle state informationindicating what mode the UE is in).

Method Embodiment 9 The method of Method Embodiment 8 wherein saidselecting (510) includes providing (512) a preference in said selectionfor a UE device with more remaining battery power (a first remainingbattery power level) than a UE device having less remaining batterypower (e.g., a second remaining battery power level which is lower thansaid first battery power level).

Method Embodiment 19 The method of Method Embodiment 8 wherein saidselecting (510) includes providing (514) a preference in said selectionfor a UE device which is in an idle state (e.g., a device in which voicetraffic is not supported) as compared to a UE device which is an activecommunications state (e.g., in which uplink voice traffic is supported).

In various embodiments a UE can report total received energy or totalreceived energy less CBSD detected signal energy.

Method Embodiment 11 The method of Method Embodiment 6, wherein thefirst received power measurement information includes signal energyinformation indicating a first total received signal energy in the firstfrequency band.

Method Embodiment 12 The method of Method Embodiment 6, wherein thefirst received power measurement information includes signal energyinformation indicating a first total received signal energy in the firstfrequency band reduced by an amount of signal energy of CBSD signals (asdetermined from pilot signals measured by the first UE device (e.g.,first cell phone), said pilot signals being received by the first UEdevice (e.g., first cell phone)).

Method Embodiment 13 The method of Method Embodiment 5, whereincommunicating (524) to the system management device (e.g., a SAS),received signal power information includes: communicating (526) areceived power generated by said first base station from received powerinformation provided by two or more different UE devices.

Method Embodiment 14 The method of Method Embodiment 13, wherein saidreceived signal power information includes an average received powergenerated by said first base station from multiple reported receivedpowers.

Method Embodiment 15 The method of Method Embodiment 14, wherein saidaverage power excludes from consideration received signal powercorresponding to CBSD signals detected as being received by the UEdevices providing the UEs reporting received signal power information.

Method Embodiment 16 The method of Method Embodiment 14, furthercomprising: operating (530) the system management device (e.g., a SAS)to make a decision whether or not to shut down first base stationdownlink operation based on the received signal power informationprovided by the first base station.

Method Embodiment 17 The method of Method Embodiment 16, whereinoperating (530) the system management device (SAS) to make a decisionwhether or not to shut down first base station downlink operation basedon the received signal power information provided by the first basestation includes operating (532) the system management device to comparea received signal power reported by the first base station to a signalpower level threshold.

Method Embodiment 18 The method of Method Embodiment 17 furthercomprising: operating (536) the system management system, in response todetermining that the received signal power reported by the first basestation exceeds the signal power level threshold, to command the firstbase station to stop using the first frequency band for providingdownlink communications to UE devices.

Method Embodiment 19 The method of Method Embodiment 18, furthercomprising: operating (540) the first base station to receive a commandto stop using the first frequency band for providing downlinkcommunications to UE devices, said command being received from thesystem management device (e.g., a SAS); and operating (542) the firstbase station, in response to said command, to cease using the firstfrequency band for UE data downlink communications while continuing toallow UE devices to use said first frequency band for reporting of powermeasurements (and optionally emergency communications such as 911 uplinksignals).

Method Embodiment 20 The method of Method Embodiment 19, furthercomprising operating (544) the first base station, in response to saidcommand, to continue using the first frequency band for controlsignaling to UEs relating to power measurements but not to use the firstfrequency band for UE downlink data such as voice data.

Method Embodiment 21 The method of Method Embodiment 2, furthercomprising: operating (521) the first UE device to receive a signal(e.g., a command) indicating that the first UE device is to operate insaid monitoring mode of operation (sensor mode) in which signalmeasurement are performed.

Method Embodiment 22 The method of Method Embodiment 21, wherein saidsignal indicating that the first UE device is to operate in saidmonitoring mode of operation includes information indicating a durationthat the first UE device is to remain in the monitoring mode ofoperation.

Method Embodiment 23 The method of Method Embodiment 22, wherein saidsignal indicating that the first UE device is to operate in saidmonitoring mode of operation includes information indicates one of: i) afrequency that the first UE device is to perform measurements or ii) afrequency that the first UE device is to send measurement reports to thefirst base station.

Method Embodiment 24 The method of Method Embodiment 22, furthercomprising: operating (5216) the first UE device to transition into themonitoring mode of operation in response to said received signalindicating that the first UE device is to operate in said monitoringmode of operation.

Method Embodiment 25 The method of Method Embodiment 24, furthercomprising: operating (5222) the first UE device to measure receivedpower in said first frequency band; operating (5230) the first UE deviceto generate a report to communicated first received power information;and operating (5232) the first UE device to send the generated reportcommunicating first received power information to the first basestation.

Method Embodiment 26 The method of Method Embodiment 25, whereinoperating (5222) the first UE device to measure received power in saidfirst frequency band includes: operating (5224) the first UE to measurea total received power in the first frequency band; operating (5226) thefirst UE to measure a received power attributed to one or more basestations (CBSDs); and operating (5228) the first UE to determine (e.g.,calculate) a received power attributed to incumbent user in the firstfrequency band based on the measure a total received power in the firstfrequency band and the measure received power attributed to one or morebase stations (CBSDs) in the first frequency band.

Method Embodiment 27 The method of Method Embodiment 25, wherein saidfirst received power information in said generated report includes afirst UE determined received power level attributed to incumbent user.

Numbered List of Exemplary System Embodiments:

System Embodiment 1 A communications system (300 or 901) comprising: afirst base station (1000) (e.g., a first CBSD) that uses a firstfrequency band for communication (e.g., 3.5 GHz band used for CBSDcommunication), said first base station including: a first processor(1002); and a first wireless receiver (1028); and wherein said firstprocessor (1002) is configured to: select (504), one or more userequipment (UE) devices (e.g., cell phones) to operate as powermeasurement devices, said one or more UE devices including a first UEdevice (e.g. a first cell phone); operate the first base station toreceive (522), via the first wireless receiver, first received powermeasurement information from the UE device, said first received powermeasurement information being based on a total received power in thefirst frequency band measured by the first UE device; operate the firstbase station to communicate (524) (e.g., via a network interface) to asystem management device (e.g., a SAS), received signal powerinformation, said received signal power information being based on atleast said first received power measurement information.

System Embodiment 2 The communications system (300 or 901) of SystemEmbodiment 1, wherein said first processor (1002) is further configuredto: operate the first base station to signal (518) to the first UEdevice that it is to operate in a monitoring mode of operation (sensormode) in which signal measurements are performed.

System Embodiment 3 The communications system (300 or 901) of SystemEmbodiment 2, said first processor (1002) is configured to: operate thefirst base station to signal (520) a frequency at which signalmeasurements are to be made by the first UE device, as part of beingconfigured to operate the first base station to signal (518) to thefirst UE device that it is to operate in the monitoring mode ofoperation includes:

System Embodiment 4 The communications system (300 or 901) of SystemEmbodiment 3, wherein said first processor (1002) is configured to:determine (516), at the first base station, (prior to signaling (520)the frequency at which signal measurements are to be made) the frequencyat which signal measurements are to be made by the first UE based onwhether the first base station (e.g., first CBSD) is in a first mode ofoperation (e.g., an active state) in which the first base stationprovides uplink and downlink services to UEs or in a second mode ofoperation (e.g., an inactive state) in which downlink service is notprovided to UEs (the first base station (e.g., the first CBSD, hasmonitoring occur more frequently in some embodiments when it is in theinactive state with the hope that cell phones will rapidly detect thatthe first frequency band (a CBSD frequency band) has become availablefor use)

System Embodiment 5 The communications system (300 or 901) of SystemEmbodiment 1, wherein said first processor (1002) is configured to:select (506) multiple UE devices to operate as received signal powermonitoring devices, as part of being configured to select (504) one ormore UE devices.

System Embodiment 6 The communications system (300 or 901) of SystemEmbodiment 5, wherein said first processor (1002) is configured to:select (508) devices at different locations to operate as receivedsignal power monitoring devices, as part of being configured to select(506) multiple UE devices.

System Embodiment 7 The communications system (300 or 901) of SystemEmbodiment 6, wherein said selected one or more UE devices is a subsetof UE devices attached to said first base station (wherein said one ormore UE devices do not include at least some UE devices attached to saidfirst base station and which are receiving service from the first basestation).

System Embodiment 8 The communications system (300 or 901) of SystemEmbodiment 7, wherein said first processor (1002) is configured toperform (510) said selecting (504) one or more UE devices as a functionof: i) UE device location, ii) UE battery level information, and/or iii)UE operation state information (e.g., active or idle state informationindicating what mode the UE is in).

System Embodiment 9 The communications system (300 or 901) of SystemEmbodiment 8 wherein said selecting (510) includes providing (512) apreference in said selection for a UE device with more remaining batterypower (a first remaining battery power level) than a UE device havingless remaining battery power (e.g., a second remaining battery powerlevel which is lower than said first battery power level).

System Embodiment 10 The communications system (300 or 901) of SystemEmbodiment 8 wherein said selecting (510) includes providing (514) apreference in said selection for a UE device which is in an idle state(e.g., a device in which voice traffic is not supported) as compared toa UE device which is an active communications state (e.g., in whichuplink voice traffic is supported).

A UE can report total received energy or total received energy less CBSDdetected signal energy.

System Embodiment 11 The communications system (300 or 901) of SystemEmbodiment 6, wherein the first received power measurement informationincludes signal energy information indicating a first total receivedsignal energy in the first frequency band.

System Embodiment 12 The communications system (300 or 901) of SystemEmbodiment 6, wherein the first received power measurement informationincludes signal energy information indicating a first total receivedsignal energy in the first frequency band reduced by an amount of signalenergy of CBSD signals (as determined from pilot signals measured by thefirst UE device (e.g., first cell phone), said pilot signals beingreceived by the first UE device (e.g., first cell phone)).

System Embodiment 13 The communications system (300 or 901) of SystemEmbodiment 5, wherein said first processor (1002) is configured to:operate the first base station to communicate (526) a received powergenerated by said first base station from received power informationprovided by two or more different UE devices, as part of beingconfigured to operate the first base station to communicate (524) to thesystem management device (e.g., a SAS), received signal powerinformation.

System Embodiment 14 The communications system (300 or 901) of SystemEmbodiment 13, wherein said received signal power information includesan average received power generated by said first base station frommultiple reported received powers.

System Embodiment 15 The communications system (300 or 901) of SystemEmbodiment 14, wherein said average power excludes from considerationreceived signal power corresponding to CBSD signals detected as beingreceived by the UE devices providing the UEs reporting received signalpower information.

System Embodiment 16 The communications system (300 or 901) of SystemEmbodiment 14, further comprising: a system management device (e.g., aSAS) (1200) including: a second processor (1202); and wherein saidsecond processor (1202) is configured to: operate (530) the systemmanagement device (e.g., a SAS) to make a decision whether or not toshut down first base station downlink operation based on the receivedsignal power information provided by the first base station.

System Embodiment 17 The communications system (300 or 901) of SystemEmbodiment 16, wherein said second processor (1202) is configured to:operate (532) the system management device to compare a received signalpower reported by the first base station to a signal power levelthreshold, as part of being configured to operate (530) the systemmanagement device (SAS) to make a decision whether or not to shut downfirst base station downlink operation based on the received signal powerinformation provided by the first base station.

System Embodiment 18 The communications system (300 or 901) of SystemEmbodiment 17, wherein said second processor (1202) is configured to:operate (536) the system management system, in response to determiningthat the received signal power reported by the first base stationexceeds the signal power level threshold, to command the first basestation to stop using the first frequency band for providing downlinkcommunications to UE devices.

System Embodiment 19 The communications system (300 or 901) of SystemEmbodiment 18, wherein said first processor (1002) is further configuredto: operate (540) the first base station to receive (e.g., via areceiver in a network interface) a command to stop using the firstfrequency band for providing downlink communications to UE devices, saidcommand being received from the system management device (e.g., a SAS);and operate (542) the first base station, in response to said command,to cease using the first frequency band for UE data downlinkcommunications while continuing to allow UE devices to use said firstfrequency band for reporting of power measurements (and optionallyemergency communications such as 911 uplink signals).

System Embodiment 20 The communications system (300 or 901) of SystemEmbodiment 19, wherein said first processor (1002) is further configuredto: operate (544) the first base station, in response to said command,to continue using the first frequency band for control signaling to UEsrelating to power measurements but not to use the first frequency bandfor UE downlink data such as voice data.

System Embodiment 21 The communications system (300 or 901) of SystemEmbodiment 2, further comprising: a user equipment (UE) device (1100)including a third processor (1102); and a UE wireless receiver (1124);and wherein said third processor (1102) is configured to: operating(521) the first UE device to receive (e.g., via the UE wirelessreceiver) a signal (e.g., a command) indicating that the first UE deviceis to operate in said monitoring mode of operation (sensor mode) inwhich signal measurement are performed.

System Embodiment 22 The communications system (300 or 901) of SystemEmbodiment 21, wherein said signal indicating that the first UE deviceis to operate in said monitoring mode of operation includes informationindicating a duration that the first UE device is to remain in themonitoring mode of operation.

System Embodiment 23 The communications system (300 or 901) of SystemEmbodiment 22, wherein said signal indicating that the first UE deviceis to operate in said monitoring mode of operation includes informationindicates one of: i) a frequency that the first UE device is to performmeasurements or ii) a frequency that the first UE device is to sendmeasurement reports to the first base station.

System Embodiment 24 The communications system (300 or 901) of SystemEmbodiment 22, wherein said third processor (1102) is further configuredto: operate (5216) the first UE device (1100) to transition into themonitoring mode of operation in response to said received signalindicating that the first UE device is to operate in said monitoringmode of operation.

System Embodiment 25 The communications system (300 or 901) of SystemEmbodiment 24, wherein said third processor (1102) is further configuredto: operate (5222) the first UE device to measure received power in saidfirst frequency band; operate (5230) the first UE device to generate areport to communicated first received power information; and operate(5232) the first UE device to send (e.g., via a UE wireless transmitter)the generated report communicating first received power information tothe first base station.

System Embodiment 26 The communications system (300 or 901) of SystemEmbodiment 25, wherein said third processor (1102) is configured to:operate (5224) the first UE to measure a total received power in thefirst frequency band; operate (5226) the first UE to measure a receivedpower attributed to one or more base stations (CBSDs); and operate(5228) the first UE to determine (e.g., calculate) a received powerattributed to incumbent user in the first frequency band based on themeasure a total received power in the first frequency band and themeasure received power attributed to one or more base stations (CBSDs)in the first frequency band, as part of being configured to operate(5222) the first UE device to measure received power in said firstfrequency band includes:

System Embodiment 27 The communications system (300 or 901) of SystemEmbodiment 25, wherein said first received power information in saidgenerated report includes a first UE determined received power levelattributed to incumbent user.

Numbered List of Exemplary Non-Transitory

Computer Readable Medium Embodiments:

Non-transitory Computer Readable Medium Embodiment 1: A non-transitorycomputer readable medium (1012) including a first set of computerexecutable instructions which when executed by a processor (1002) of afirst base station (1000) (e.g., first Citizens Broadband Radio ServiceDevice (CBSD)) cause the first base station to perform the steps of:selecting (504), at the first base station (e.g., a first CBSD) thatuses a first frequency band for communication (e.g., 3.5 GHz band usedfor CBSD communication), one or more user equipment (UE) devices (e.g.,cell phones) to operate as power measurement devices, said one or moreUE devices including a first UE device (e.g. a first cell phone);receiving (522), at the first base station, first received powermeasurement information from the UE device, said first received powermeasurement information being based on a total received power in thefirst frequency band measured by the first UE device; and communicating(524) to a system management device (e.g., a SAS), received signal powerinformation, said received signal power information being based on atleast said first received power measurement information

Non-transitory Computer Readable Medium Embodiment 2: A non-transitorycomputer readable medium (1210) including a first set of computerexecutable instructions which when executed by a processor (1202) of asystem management device (1200) (e.g. a SAS) cause the system managementdevice to perform the steps of: operating (530) the system managementdevice (e.g., a SAS) to make a decision whether or not to shut downfirst base station downlink operation based on received signal powerinformation provided by the first base station.

Non-transitory Computer Readable Medium Embodiment 3: A non-transitorycomputer readable medium (1112) including a first set of computerexecutable instructions which when executed by a processor (1102) of auser equipment (UE) device (1200) (e.g. a cell phone) cause the userequipment device to perform the steps of: operating (521) the UE deviceto receive a signal (e.g., a command) indicating that the UE device isto operate in a monitoring mode of operation (sensor mode) in whichsignal measurements (e.g., signal measurements used to detect incumbentuser in a CBRS band) are performed.

The techniques of various embodiments may be implemented using software,hardware and/or a combination of software and hardware. Variousembodiments are directed to apparatus, e.g., base stations such asCBSDs, user equipment devices such as cell phones, network managementdevices such as SAS, network nodes, and/or network equipment devices.Various embodiments are also directed to methods, e.g., method ofcontrolling and/or operating base station, e.g., a CBSD, network nodes,a network management device, e.g., a SAS, nodes, servers, user equipmentdevices, e.g., cell phones, controllers, mobility management entities ornetwork equipment devices. Various embodiments are also directed tomachine, e.g., computer, readable medium, e.g., ROM, RAM, CDs, harddiscs, etc., which include machine readable instructions for controllinga machine to implement one or more steps of a method. The computerreadable medium is, e.g., non-transitory computer readable medium.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in theprocesses and methods disclosed is an example of exemplary approaches.Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific orderor hierarchy of steps in the processes and methods may be rearrangedwhile remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. Theaccompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in asample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order orhierarchy presented. In some embodiments, one or more processors areused to carry out one or more steps of the each of the describedmethods.

In various embodiments each of the steps or elements of a method areimplemented using one or more processors. In some embodiments, each ofthe elements or steps are implemented using hardware circuitry.

In various embodiments devices, servers, nodes and/or elements describedherein are implemented using one or more components to perform the stepscorresponding to one or more methods, for example, message reception,signal processing, sending, comparing, determining and/or transmissionsteps. Thus, in some embodiments various features are implemented usingcomponents or in some embodiments logic such as for example logiccircuits. Such components may be implemented using software, hardware ora combination of software and hardware. Many of the above describedmethods or method steps can be implemented using machine executableinstructions, such as software, included in a machine readable mediumsuch as a memory device, e.g., RAM, floppy disk, etc. to control amachine, e.g., general purpose computer with or without additionalhardware, to implement all or portions of the above described methods,e.g., in one or more devices, servers, nodes and/or elements.Accordingly, among other things, various embodiments are directed to amachine-readable medium, e.g., a non-transitory computer readablemedium, including machine executable instructions for causing a machine,e.g., processor and associated hardware, to perform one or more of thesteps of the above-described method(s). Some embodiments are directed toa device, e.g., a controller, including a processor configured toimplement one, multiple or all of the steps of one or more methods ofthe invention.

In some embodiments, the processor or processors, e.g., CPUs, of one ormore devices, e.g., communications nodes such as base stations, e.g.,CBSDs, UEs, e.g., cell phones, network management devices, e.g., a SAS,etc., are configured to perform the steps of the methods described asbeing performed by the device, e.g., base station, e.g., CBSD, UE, e.g.,cell phone, network management device, e.g., SAS, etc. The configurationof the processor may be achieved by using one or more components, e.g.,software components, to control processor configuration and/or byincluding hardware in the processor, e.g., hardware components, toperform the recited steps and/or control processor configuration.Accordingly, some but not all embodiments are directed to a device,e.g., base station, e.g. a CBSD, UE device, e.g., a cell phone, anetwork management device, e.g. a SAS device, etc., with a processorwhich includes a component corresponding to each of the steps of thevarious described methods performed by the device in which the processoris included. In some but not all embodiments a device, e.g., basestation, e.g. a CBSD, UE device, e.g., a cell phone, a networkmanagement device, e.g. a SAS device, etc., includes a processorcorresponding to each of the steps of the various described methodsperformed by the device in which the processor is included. Thecomponents may be implemented using software and/or hardware.

Some embodiments are directed to a computer program product comprising acomputer-readable medium, e.g., a non-transitory computer-readablemedium, comprising code for causing a computer, or multiple computers,to implement various functions, steps, acts and/or operations, e.g. oneor more steps described above. Depending on the embodiment, the computerprogram product can, and sometimes does, include different code for eachstep to be performed. Thus, the computer program product may, andsometimes does, include code for each individual step of a method, e.g.,a method of controlling a node, a base station, e.g. a CBSD, a UEdevice, e.g., a cell phone, a network management device, e.g. a SASdevice, etc. The code may be in the form of machine, e.g., computer,executable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, e.g., anon-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a RAM (Random AccessMemory), ROM (Read Only Memory) or other type of storage device. Inaddition to being directed to a computer program product, someembodiments are directed to a processor configured to implement one ormore of the various functions, steps, acts and/or operations of one ormore methods described above. Accordingly, some embodiments are directedto a processor, e.g., CPU, configured to implement some or all of thesteps of the methods described herein. The processor may be for use in,e.g., a communications device such as a base station, e.g. a CBSD, a UEdevice, e.g., a cell phone, a network management device, e.g., a SAS, orother device described in the present application.

Numerous additional variations on the methods and apparatus of thevarious embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled inthe art in view of the above description. Such variations are to beconsidered within the scope. Numerous additional embodiments, within thescope of the present invention, will be apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art in view of the above description and the claims whichfollow. Such variations are to be considered within the scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, the method comprising: selecting, at afirst base station that uses a first frequency band for communication,one or more user equipment (UE) devices to operate as power measurementdevices, said one or more UE devices including a first UE device, saidstep of selecting one or more UE devices including selecting multiple UEdevices to operate as received signal power monitoring devices;receiving, at the first base station, first received power measurementinformation from the first UE device, said first received powermeasurement information being based on a total received power in thefirst frequency band measured by the first UE device; and communicatingto a system management device received signal power information, saidreceived signal power information being based on at least said firstreceived power measurement information.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein selecting multiple UE devices includes selecting devices atdifferent locations to operate as received signal power monitoringdevices.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first received powermeasurement information includes signal energy information indicating afirst total received signal energy in the first frequency band.
 4. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the first received power measurementinformation includes signal energy information indicating a first totalreceived signal energy in the first frequency band reduced by an amountof signal energy of Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device (CBSD)signals.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein communicating to the systemmanagement device received signal power information includes:communicating a received power generated by said first base station fromreceived power information provided by two or more different UE devices.6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: operating the systemmanagement device to make a decision whether or not to shut down firstbase station downlink operation based on the received signal powerinformation provided by the first base station.
 7. The method of claim1, further comprising: operating the first UE device to receive a signalindicating that the first UE device is to operate in a monitoring modeof operation in which signal measurements are performed.
 8. The methodof claim 7, wherein said signal indicating that the first UE device isto operate in said monitoring mode of operation includes informationindicating a duration that the first UE device is to remain in themonitoring mode of operation.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein saidsignal indicating that the first UE device is to operate in saidmonitoring mode of operation includes information indicates one of: i) afrequency that the first UE device is to perform measurements or ii) afrequency that the first UE device is to send measurement reports to thefirst base station.
 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:operating the first UE device to transition into the monitoring mode ofoperation in response to said received signal indicating that the firstUE device is to operate in said monitoring mode of operation.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, further comprising: operating the first UE device tomeasure received power in said first frequency band; operating the firstUE device to generate a report to communicate first received powerinformation; and operating the first UE device to send the generatedreport communicating first received power information to the first basestation.
 12. A communications system comprising: a first base stationthat uses a first frequency band for communication, said first basestation including: a first processor; and a first wireless receiver; andwherein said first processor is configured to: select, one or more userequipment (UE) devices to operate as power measurement devices, said oneor more UE devices including a first UE device; operate the first basestation to receive, via the first wireless receiver, first receivedpower measurement information from the first UE device, said firstreceived power measurement information being based on a total receivedpower in the first frequency band measured by the first UE device; andoperate the first base station to communicate to a system managementdevice, received signal power information, said received signal powerinformation being based on at least said first received powermeasurement information.
 13. The communications system of claim 12,wherein said first processor is configured to: select multiple UEdevices to operate as received signal power monitoring devices, as partof being configured to select one or more UE devices.
 14. Thecommunications system of claim 13, wherein said first processor isconfigured to: select devices at different locations to operate asreceived signal power monitoring devices, as part of being configured toselect multiple UE devices.
 15. The communications system of claim 14,wherein the first received power measurement information includes signalenergy information indicating a first total received signal energy inthe first frequency band.
 16. The communications system of claim 14,wherein the first received power measurement information includes signalenergy information indicating a first total received signal energy inthe first frequency band reduced by an amount of signal energy ofCitizens Broadband Radio Service Device (CBSD) signals.
 17. Thecommunications system of claim 13, wherein said first processor isconfigured to: operate the first base station to communicate a receivedpower generated by said first base station from received powerinformation provided by two or more different UE devices, as part ofbeing configured to operate the first base station to communicate to thesystem management device received signal power information.
 18. Thecommunications system of claim 17, further comprising: said systemmanagement device including: a second processor; and wherein said secondprocessor is configured to: operate the system management device to makea decision whether or not to shut down first base station downlinkoperation based on the received signal power information provided by thefirst base station.
 19. A non-transitory computer readable mediumincluding a first set of computer executable instructions which whenexecuted by a processor of a first base station cause the first basestation to perform the steps of: selecting, at the first base stationthat uses a first frequency band, one or more user equipment (UE)devices to operate as power measurement devices, said one or more UEdevices including a first UE device; receiving, at the first basestation, first received power measurement information from the first UEdevice, said first received power measurement information being based ona total received power in the first frequency band measured by the firstUE device; and communicating to a system management device receivedsignal power information, said received signal power information beingbased on at least said first received power measurement information.